Open Training Session for Veterans in Odesa
An open training session focused on adaptive sports for veterans took place in Odesa.
Hosted at one of the city's stadiums, the event aimed to promote physical activity among veterans. This open training created a space for healing, interaction, and solidarity.
The primary goal of the event was to raise awareness about adaptive sports as a vital tool for rehabilitation, socialization, and mental health support.
Participants could engage in various activities, including wheelchair basketball, and join supportive psychosocial workshops:
- crafting with air-dry clay,
- creating a «personal resources map»,
- board games and quizzes focused on mental health and resilience.
Adaptive sports are not just about physical activity; they represent a pathway to recovery and reintegration into an active life among peers.
Among the attendees was Anna Velychko, the regional coordinator of the national mental health program «How are you?» in Odesa. She emphasized the significance of such initiatives for fostering a culture of mental health within communities.
The event was organized by the NGO «Free Warriors» with financial support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM Ukraine) under the national mental health program «How are you?».
The development and implementation of the national mental health program «How are you?» is initiated by the First Lady Olena Zelenska and supported by the Government Coordination Center / Mental Health UA with expert assistance from the World Health Organization.
