The Council of Europe project "Combating violence against children in Ukraine” is continuing its capacity building activities aimed at professionals working for and with children in the context of a full-scale of the Russian Federation into the territory of Ukraine. In particular, on 23 and 25 November 2022, the Project held a two-day training for 30 professionals from non-governmental organisations and hotlines in different regions of Ukraine. 

The aim of the training was to provide the professionals with deeper understanding of traumatic experiences and their impact on children and adolescents. The training took a practical approach by providing tools for professionals to support children, adolescents, and their parents during and after difficult and traumatic experiences caused by war, including topics such as understanding symptoms caused by traumatic experiences and supporting children and adolescents experiencing grief and loss.

In addition, the training provided important tools for professionals themselves to take care of their own mental wellbeing while possibly facing many difficult events in their personal lives as well as at professional level. The tools and tips provided during the training are based on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based methods.

The Council of Europe expresses its gratitude to Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen and Katariina Leivo, international expert of the Council of Europe for preparing and delivering the training for Ukrainian professionals.