SAY IT! Mental health campaign launched
SAY IT! mental health campaign launched to teach trauma-sensitive communication. Hotline support available daily in Ukraine.
We are proud to announce the launch of the SAY IT! campaign, a joint initiative of the Sweden–Ukraine Foundation (ISSU) and the National Psychological Association of Ukraine (NPA).
The campaign is built on a clear mission: to educate people on how to communicate with and support those affected by war-related trauma.
Breaking the silence around trauma
Millions of people in Ukraine are living with the invisible wounds of war.
For relatives, friends and community of survivals and veterans the questions often arise: “What can we say? How can we help?”. SAY IT! was created to answer these questions while campaign provides simple, practical guidance that makes it easier to talk about trauma and offer meaningful support without fear of saying the “wrong thing.” By sharing clear, practical guidance, we want to empower everyone to feel more confident in offering support.
Educational Videos Coming Soon
At the heart of the campaign is a series of short educational videos, launching soon. Each video is developed with leading psychologists and provides concrete advice on how to talk to and support people who have experienced war trauma.
These videos will be available on our social media and other digital platforms, and free to be shared widely. Our goal is to reach as many people as possible with simple, accessible tools for compassionate communication.
For those in urgent need of professional help, a free Psychological Support Hotline is already available in Ukraine:
☎ 0 800 100 102 operating daily from 09:00–05:00 (Kyiv time)
We wanted to secure the opportunity for no one to face trauma alone - and thanks to this hotline, immediate and confidential support is just a phone call away.
How Can you contribute?
Together, we can ensure that this campaign reaches every corner of Ukraine — and beyond. Here’s how you can support:
Become a campaign partner: Contact us at info@issu.se
Donate directly: SWISH 90 09 218 | BANKGIRO 900-9218
Every contribution helps us spread knowledge, support helpline and ensure more people know they are not alone.
Calling for partners: SAY IT! mental health campaign
The SAY IT! Campaign shares videos on how to support people affected by war trauma in Ukraine. We are calling for partners to help expand its reach nationwide.
This September, Insamlingsstiftelsen Sverige-Ukraina (ISSU) together with the National Psychological Association (NPA) will launch the SAY IT! Mental Health Campaign in Ukraine.
Why this campaign matters?
Across Ukraine, countless families and veterans are carrying invisible wounds of war, from grief and displacement to ongoing stress and fear about the future. Many have witnessed traumatic events, lost loved ones, or live in a constant state of uncertainty. Trauma has touched nearly every second person in Ukraine, and the need for psychological support has never been greater.
The SAY IT! campaign responds to this crisis through a series of short educational films that give people practical advice on how to communicate with and support those who have experienced war-related trauma. Each film ends with a clear call-to-action, directing viewers to the free and anonymous psychological helpline (0 800 100 102), available daily to provide professional support.
Why we need partners?
To make this campaign reach as many people as possible, we are calling for partners and sponsors. Your support will help us expand the distribution and ensure the films are seen nationwide.
As a sponsor, you will be recognized with visibility in videos, campaign materials and during public screenings, showing your commitment to mental health, resilience, and support for Ukraine.
Join us in creating impact
With your partnership, we can extend the reach of trauma education, deliver self-help tools to communities in need, and strengthen the national psychological helpline that provides a lifeline for thousands.
📧 For partnership details, please contact: info@issu.se
💳 For direct donations: SWISH 90 09 218 | BANKGIRO 900-9218
An exhibition “Mental Health in a Time of War” at Almedalsveckan 2025
At Almedalsveckan 2025, the joint interactive exhibition by ISSU and RePower created a space for reflection, emotional insight, and open dialogue, inviting the public to explore the invisible psychological cost of war.
At Almedalsveckan 2025, the interactive exhibition “Mental Health in a Time of War”, a collaboration between Insamlingsstiftelsen Sverige–Ukraina (ISSU) and RePower, invited the public into an experience exploring the invisible psychological cost of war.
Through black-and-white portraits of Ukrainian frontline medics, captured before and after their participation in RePower’s 10-day psychological recovery program, and the premiere screening of ISSU’s “SAY IT!” educational film series on communicating with those affected by war trauma, the exhibition offered visitors a chance to engage deeply with the emotional aftermath of conflict. Each element was curated to foster reflection, emotional insight, and open dialogue, allowing guests to confront the human dimension of resilience.
Mental Health as National Security
Right now, nearly 70% of Ukrainians report psychological suffering due to the ongoing war. The trauma extends far beyond the battlefield, affecting civilians, medical workers, and communities across the country.
This data, echoed throughout the exhibition, underscores a vital truth: mental health is not a secondary concern. It is central to personal survival, civil stability, and national security. Without addressing the psychological toll of war, the long-term ability of a society to recover, rebuild, and defend itself is deeply compromised.
Collaboration, Support, and Shared Commitment
We’re deeply grateful to Minister of Difence Pål Jonson for his supportive words, and to our partners: Lumell Associates, BOLIST, Popup Works, Shiftwave, Trinetix, and NPA, for making this space for awareness and resilience possible.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our incredible volunteers, whose dedication and care brought the entire experience to life.
Looking Ahead
This exhibition was just one step. The psychological wounds of war are deep, but not beyond healing. Through continued dialogue, awareness, and collaboration, we can begin to reduce stigma, encourage recovery, and center mental health in the conversation around conflict and resilience.
We invite you to stay informed as the “SAY IT!” project moves toward public distribution in the nearest future.