Written by Ethan M. Stone
When looking at footage or images of a war-torn country, physical damage is easy to spot and often draws the most attention. What can be less obvious, however, is the mental trauma that stems from worrying whether one will live to see tomorrow or have a home to go to once the fighting is done. In few places is this more evident than in modern-day Ukraine, where the war has triggered a mental health crisis whose impact necessitates more care than private therapy rooms can provide.
To help address this issue, Dr. Natalia Kholodenko has created resources like innovative media communication and online education to provide Ukraine and other nations with the tools they need to confront collective trauma and empower psychological recovery.
Collective Trauma and the Ukrainian Experience
It goes without saying that the war has deeply affected the psychological well-being of Ukrainian civilians, especially women and children who lack the means to defend themselves. The constant threat of danger invokes a sense of ceaseless paranoia that can quickly lead to emotional and physical exhaustion.
Unfortunately, Ukraine lacked many mental health resources prior to the conflict due to the frequent stigmatization of people suffering from mental health issues. Discussions centered on emotions or trauma were to be held in private, if at all. These cultural taboos stymied the nation’s ability to address these problems, but given their increasing prevalence, they have become difficult to ignore and are now seeing gradual acceptance and understanding as a result.
The Role of Media in Mental Health Advocacy
Although public sentiment concerning mental health has recently started to shift for the better in Ukraine, there were few ways of facilitating psychological discourse, given how many people were displaced from their homes.
That changed when psychologist, Natalia Kholodenko, known as the “Oprah of Ukraine,” began to make use of television, social media, and online education platforms to reach a greater number of people across the country. Natalia has played a significant role in popularizing these resources, as her social media platforms and online seminars alone have reached over 2 million women.
Bridging Psychology with Storytelling
Conveying complex psychological ideas to a broad audience is essential for helping people understand and accept mental health. This work depends on clear storytelling, accessible language and genuine empathy so that those who hear the message can connect with it and apply it to their own experiences.
Natalia came to understand the power of this approach during her own escape from the war. On the first day of the invasion, she and her children fled their home and spent hours waiting in a long line of refugees. Above them, bombs exploded through the clouds. When the sky lit up, Natalia’s three-year-old daughter looked up and asked, “Mama, where are the presents? It is Christmas and Santa is coming.” She believed the lights were fireworks meant for celebration.
Natalia chose not to correct her. Instead, she saw in her daughter’s innocent question a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of holding on to moments of hope and joy even in times of fear.
The Global Need for Scalable Psychological Support
Part of why Natalia’s online storytelling became so important was that traditional methods of therapy simply aren’t able to keep up with demand during times of mass trauma.
This shortcoming emphasized the importance of scalable, culturally sensitive tools, including media-based solutions, in global crises. Not only can these tools reach more people all at once, but they can also provide a much-needed sense of community at a time when it can feel like community is all but gone.
Natalia Kholodenko as a Model for Public Mental Health Leadership
Through her celebrated efforts, like founding the online psychology school “Natalia Kholodenko Online School” and creating the All Ukrainian Psychological Marathon, Natalia has received widespread acclaim as a humanitarian, psychologist, and media personality. She received formal recognition with the Better World Fund Award and the Pope John Paul II Humanitarian Award.
By leveraging the scope of her platform, Natalia recorded a special version of Gloria Gaynor’s iconic song “I Will Survive,” with Gaynor learning a verse in Ukrainian as a message of resilience. She also recorded “We Are Family” with Kathy Sledge, in which Sledge sang a verse in Ukrainian to convey that, despite borders and war, everyone is family.
A Call to Action for Global Recognition and Support
Mental health has received much-needed recognition and attention in recent years, but it remains a difficult and often touchy subject for many people and cultures worldwide, making it imperative that communicators like Natalia join in on the mental health conversation.
To reach a wider audience and expand her message internationally, Natalia plans to partake in more collaborations, public speaking events, and educational initiatives. Additionally, she is in the process of writing her first book, which combines autobiographical elements with pearls of wisdom about moving beyond trauma. She has also been approached by film and television producers to bring her stories to the screen.
It is through the work of people like Dr. Natalia Kholodenko that mental health is becoming part of everyday conversation rather than a hidden struggle. Her influence represents real progress in Ukraine, yet the need for deeper understanding and accessible care remains significant. As more experts, humanitarians and media figures join this effort, the global community may become better prepared to acknowledge the value of mental well-being and to embrace the idea at the heart of Natalia’s message that “your future is bigger than your trauma”.
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