Today, Lviv hosted the first day of the offsite module within the framework of the program “Psychological Support at the Basis of Spiritual Service.” Together with the participants, we visited the DiyaTY Mental Health Hub – a space where people can receive psychological support and spiritual guidance. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the hub has brought together psychologists and spiritual caregivers – but most importantly, people who create an atmosphere of safety, acceptance, and support.
After a guided tour of the hub, we continued to the Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary, where the lecture part of the module took place. Together with the hub’s psychologist Mariya Dubynina, participants learned to recognize signs of trauma in children, adolescents, and adults. Mariya also spoke about grief and loss, and about the steps that help individuals navigate these experiences.
“Usually, those who help others need to be in a more resourceful state. In Ukraine, however, people in helping professions often experience the same ongoing trauma caused by the war as those who seek their support,” – noted Mariya, highlighting the uniqueness of the Ukrainian experience in this field.
To conclude the day, Father Yurii Ostapiuk reflected on the concepts of resilience and spirituality, as well as the factors that strengthen our ability to cope with stress. Participants explored ways to find inner anchors – sources of strength and support that help endure challenging circumstances.
We extend our gratitude to the Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary for the warm welcome and for providing a space for meaningful conversations, and to Mariya, Father Yurii, and all program participants for such a rich and inspiring day.
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