Representatives of Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University (KSPU) at the BURN project training visit to Berlin were V. Hamaniuk, K. Bondar, and O. Shestopalova. The visit focused on improving strategies for strengthening psychological resilience and providing support in trauma work during crises. This week-long initiative, organized by a network of international partners, aimed to expand knowledge and training on resilience and develop specialized strategies for addressing war-related trauma.
The visit began with welcoming speeches from Professors Birgit Sturmer and Lars Kuehinke from the International Psychoanalytic University (IPU), who provided a meaningful overview of mental health support in wartime. Their introduction set a positive tone for the professional psychologists and consortium members. The first part of the program featured ueberleben.org, a Berlin-based centre offering culturally sensitive psychological services for refugees and migrants affected by conflicts. The centre’s staff shared their approach to working with traumatized communities, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in strengthening resilience.
Later, Carmen Scheer, Head of the International Office at IPU, and Professor Andreas Hamburger introduced the research network Social Trauma in Changing Societies (STICS). Their presentation focused on collective trauma and communal recovery, offering practical approaches for supporting societies in post-conflict periods.
On November 5, the Ukrainian delegation visited the Free University of Berlin (FU), where Dr. Stefan Petri, Director of the Psychological Support Service at FU, presented the university's initiatives in mental health. During the discussions, emphasis was placed on the importance of trauma-informed approaches to students, especially for Ukrainian psychologists working with internally displaced persons and traumatized communities.
In the afternoon, Professor Phil Langer led an interactive session on collective storytelling as a trauma-sensitive participatory approach, fostering empowerment and healing in vulnerable groups. This method sparked lively discussions among participants about innovative interventions for trauma work.
From November 5–6, the delegation returned to IPU, where Dr. Lenka Staun, Head of the Outpatient Service, shared her experience using group analysis. Participants also visited the IPU library, which houses a significant collection of materials on psychoanalysis and trauma studies.
The program included a roundtable led by Dr. David Baker on Traumatic Processes and Staff Support. Dr. Baker presented the REST approach—a support structure for professionals in high-stress environments and conflict zones, offering key strategies for strengthening psychological resilience.
The delegation also visited #krisenchat, an online counselling service for youth in crises in Germany and for Ukrainians worldwide. The final day, led by Carmen Scheer, was dedicated to this centre's vital work and its team's dedication, including Ukrainian psychologists.
A special seminar focused on the unique needs of support centres in Ukrainian higher education institutions. Professors Kuehinke and Langer guided participants through the initial stages of the BURN program’s development, outlining the plan for further building trauma support systems.
The training visit concluded with a presentation by Professor Lutz Wittmann on Trauma and Psychoanalytic Interventions for Trauma, which offered valuable techniques for responding to trauma and integrating them into Ukrainian support centres.
This intensive exchange of experiences significantly strengthened knowledge-sharing between Ukraine and Germany, contributing to the preparation of Ukrainian specialists for enhancing resilience and providing support during societal transformations. The BURN project continues to build impactful bridges for cooperation and innovation in trauma work.
More information about the project https://burn.kdpu.edu.ua/.