SAY IT! Promotion event: Borscht as a bridge to mental health dialogue
Sometimes the most meaningful conversations emerge from the simplest acts. Last week, ISSU transformed a kitchen into a space for open dialogue, where the aroma of Ukrainian borscht blended with stories that urgently needed to be heard.
A Table That Brought People Together
The heart of the evening was shaped by the people around the table. Pelle Johansson, well-known Swedish chef and CLS within Hemvärnet, and Prince, Ukrainian frontline medic instructor, shared real stories from military life. While preparing traditional Ukrainian borscht together with the audience, they created a warm and honest atmosphere that made deeper conversation possible. They spoke about the stigma that often keeps men, veterans, and those affected by war from opening up or seeking support, and why the SAY IT! campaign matters now more than ever.
From Cooking to Conversation
As the borscht simmered, the discussion unfolded naturally and with increasing depth. We were honoured to be joined by Dr. Valeriia Palii, creator of the SAY IT! Project and former president of the National Psychological Association of Ukraine, and Anastasiia Klonova, a respected voice on Ukraine-related topics, who added professional, societal, and human perspectives to the discussion.
Together with Pelle and Prince, stories moved between everyday moments and frontline realities: from how food and familiar smells can unlock memories, to how silence, isolation, and unspoken expectations shape the way many cope with difficult life situations. The conversation touched on "hero syndrome," the pressure to endure without showing vulnerability, and how this often leads people to withdraw rather than ask for support.
Our sincere thanks to Popup Works for making this event possible, to LAB37 Media for supporting and amplifying this important conversation, and James Johansson for amazing photos.
The Power of Simple Words
Through online livestream, the audience was invited into a dialogue that felt accessible and human, where listening, presence, and simple words were shown to be powerful forms of support-at the very core of what the SAY IT! campaign stands for.
The recorded panel discussion will be published soon, allowing a wider audience to engage with these important conversations.
Want to learn more about the SAY IT! campaign? Read more: https://issu.se/mental-halsa
