Play, interaction with nature, and support from trained adults — this is the proven formula of “The Healing Forest,” which enables children ages 4–7 to develop healthy strategies for coping with stress and grow to be more resilient in the face of challenges.

The “Healing Forest” methodology is based on the “Safe Place” program, developed by Israeli psychologists Ronen Berger and Muli Lahad. From 2023 to 2026, we adapted and successfully implemented it in dozens of preschools and schools across six regions of Ukraine. And this year, “Healing Forest” is entering a new phase!

With support from Barnfonden and the Government of Sweden, we will train educators and civil society organizations in 10 new communities to implement “Healing Forest” and create sustainable local systems for supporting children’s mental health — systems that will continue to function even after project funding ends.

Through an open call for proposals, the following organizations have joined the project:

NGO “City of Life,” Rozhysche

NGO “Youth Chooses Life,” Berdychiv

NGO “Youth in Action,” Kalush

NGO “Safety for Tomorrow,” Myrhorod

NGO “Prometheus,” Tomashgorod village, Rozhyshche

NGO “Smart,” Sarny

International Women’s Organization “Aelita” Feminist Center, Smila

NGO “Grani,” Cherkasy

Chernivtsi Regional Charitable Organization “New Family,” Chernivtsi

We know some of these teams well, as we have already collaborated on projects aimed at improving mental health and preventing risky behavior among children. With the rest, our partnership is just beginning. However, both the new and familiar organizations share a common superpower: they are motivated, professional, and eager to grow. And these are the most important competencies.

First, the teams will undergo training to become facilitators for children’s groups; then they will prepare to train other adults; and finally, they will organize training sessions for educators in their communities.

The first training session took place in August in Lviv, and this is an important step toward achieving our goals. After all, being a facilitator for “Healing Forest” children’s groups is a true art and a labor-intensive task. Facilitators need to master the scientific foundation of the methodology, grasp the importance of nature as a participant in the healing process, and understand the potential for developing children’s resilience. And the most challenging (and most enjoyable) part is to reawaken within themselves that childlike curiosity, playfulness, and thirst for adventure, since adults first test all “Healing Forest” activities through their own experience.

There is still a lot of work ahead. But we believe that together we will succeed in establishing “The Healing Forest” in new communities and creating local centers to support children’s mental health.

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This initiative is part of the project “Healing Forest: A Program to Strengthen Psychological Resilience and Support Children’s Mental Health in Ukraine,” implemented by the All-Ukrainian Charitable Organization “Child Well-being Fund Ukraine” in partnership with Barnfonden, with funding from the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).