As part of Mental Health Week on October 16, 2026, in cooperation with the Department of Philosophy and the Department of Social and Psychological Support of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, a webinar “A loved one at the front: how to cope with anxiety and uncertainty” was held.
The initiator and organizer of the event was Anastasia Zhukova, a lecturer at the Department of Philosophy, Head of the Department of Social and Psychological Support.
The webinar speaker was Oleksiy Karachinsky – Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Philosophy of the FSP, psychotherapist, psychologist and veteran.
During the webinar, participants had the opportunity to consider the psychological features of experiencing fear, anxiety and uncertainty that people whose loved ones are at the front face. In particular, the topic was why in times of instability, intrusive thoughts, internal tension, and a tendency to focus on the worst-case scenarios arise.
Special attention was paid to practical tools for overcoming anxiety. The speaker spoke about the peculiarities of the work of the imagination, ways of interacting with one’s own thoughts and emotions, as well as approaches that help reduce the intensity of experiences and prevent anxious thoughts from completely absorbing everyday life.
The practical part of the meeting covered physical exercises for calming down, reducing physical manifestations of anxiety, and restoring internal balance. Participants were introduced to self-help techniques that can be used in everyday life to support one’s own psycho-emotional state during periods of uncertainty.
The webinar was an opportunity to deepen understanding of one’s own emotional reactions, obtain practical self-support tools, and pay attention to one’s own mental health in times of war.
Holding such events helps to increase psychological awareness of the university community, develop self-help skills, and spread a culture of caring for mental health.
