Mind the Future: Empowering Ukraine’s Youth with Innovative Mental Health Solutions
"We believe that investments in the mental well-being of youth are the most important investment in the recovery and prosperity of our country." Natalya Lukyanova, project coordinator of "Mind the Future".
The NGO "Labor and Health Social Initiatives" (LHSI) proudly announces the launch of a large-scale three-year project "Mind the Future: Empowering Ukraine’s Youth with Innovative Mental Health Solutions".
This initiative, implemented with the support of the Netherlands Government's International Business Agency (UPF2), is a response to the urgent needs of young Ukrainians affected by war and forced displacement. The project focuses on the mental well-being and resilience of young people aged 12 to 26. Our goal is not only to provide access to quality services but also to encourage their active involvement in the recovery processes of the country.
Innovations that change the approach
"Mind the Future" is not just another support program. It is an innovative approach that combines advanced technologies and mobility for maximum efficiency. The project includes two key innovations:
1. VR support for mental health: For the first time in Ukraine, we are adapting successful Dutch practices to use virtual reality technology for providing short-term, immersive psychosocial support. VR therapy allows working with anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic conditions in a safe and controlled environment. Our trainers are already undergoing training to provide these services in Kyiv, Vinnytsia, and Odesa.
2. Mobile consultation points: To make help accessible even in the most remote corners, we are launching mobile units. These outreach teams will provide both preventive and corrective services directly in schools, clinics, and communities. This will reach young people who are unable to access stationary centers.
Our mission and expected results
The goal of the project is to make a significant contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine by strengthening its economy and society through enhancing the resilience of youth.
By 2028, we plan to achieve impressive results:
- 6300 young people will receive support through the use of VR technologies.
- 6000 children and youth will be covered by mobile consultation services.• 50 local trainers (including 8 master trainers) will be trained to provide quality services using VR.
- 120 MHPSS professionals and 350 community leaders will undergo training and education.
These figures reflect our commitment to creating a sustainable, innovative, and accessible mental health support system for Ukrainian youth.
Team and partners
LHSI is the only Ukrainian executor of the project, allowing us to leverage our over 20 years of experience in healthcare and youth capacity development. Established partnerships with 75 cities and communities, as well as collaboration with over 30 social service centers, are the keys to success.
We work closely with international partners:
- ICDI (Netherlands) – main coordinator
- De Veranderkamer (Netherlands) – experts in VR technologies
- PRO-FIL (Poland) – partners in the implementation of the mobile points model and cross-border exchange.
Our Ukrainian partners — the Service for Children and Family of the Kyiv City State Administration, the Vinnytsia Regional Center for Social Services, and the Odesa branch of the Social Protection Fund for Persons with Disabilities — play a key role in the implementation of the project in the regions.
"This is a unique opportunity not only to provide assistance here and now, but also to lay the foundation for a sustainable, modern mental health support system for future generations," says Natalia Lukyanova, project coordinator. "We believe that investing in the mental well-being of young people is the most important investment in the recovery and prosperity of our country."