“Grateful for the opportunity to escape from the gray days of war”: Tetiana’s story from Sumy

Photo: NGO Girls

Tetiana lives in Sumy — a city in northern Ukraine, just 20 kilometers from the border with Russia. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sumy has been under constant shelling. For Tetiana, life under the sound of sirens means not only physical danger but also daily emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and the feeling that the usual rhythm of life has stopped.

Despite this, Tetiana stayed in the city and sought support. In June 2025, she visited the NGO Girls in Sumy for the first time and soon became a regular participant in psychological sessions. These sessions are part of a project implemented by UN Women Ukraine in partnership with NGO Girls. The project is financially supported by the governments of Denmark, Sweden, and Latvia, UN Women National Committees.

“It’s sincere, warm, and real here. The psychologists are open, kind, and very professional. They are always ready to listen,” Tetiana shares.

She particularly enjoyed the art activities, which help not only to create but also to find strength within herself. According to Tetiana, the gradual and sensitive approach of the specialists creates an environment where one wants to stay.

One session — the art therapy “My Family is a Garden” — became a turning point for Tetiana. During it, she was able to reflect on her family relationships, calm down, and organize her emotions.

“I felt warmth, support, and moral recovery,” she recalls.

Photo: NGO Girls

Tetiana also inspired the psychologist to create a new art session. After the “Box of Thoughts” session, where participants learned to let go of anxious thoughts, she suggested making a box of pleasant memories. Tetiana’s idea became a new art practice and inspired the entire group.

“We talked about memories, small joys, and the things that keep us going in difficult times. It was a very special session,” the psychologist notes.

Tetiana emphasizes the importance of such supportive spaces: “Thanks to the NGO Girls for the opportunity to turn to myself with the help of professionals and to escape, even a little, from the gray days of war. I calmed down and organized my thoughts,” she says.

Support for Tetiana was made possible thanks to the "Enhancing the safety, security, and mental health of women and girls, as well as advancing their human rights" project is implemented by UN Women Ukraine in partnership with NGO Girls.  The project is financially supported by the Governments of Denmark, Sweden, and Latvia, UN Women National Committees.

The views and opinions expressed in the publication are those of the individuals featured and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of UN Women, the supporting organizations, or the donors involved in the project.