Molodvizh, in cooperation with UNFPA in Ukraine, launched podcasts related to mental health and youth issues during the war: "Mentalochka" and "Molo has a question."
"Young people usually go through many challenges and social transformations just because they are becoming adults. When the war broke out in Ukraine, they took the first hit and quickly adapted to the changes. The youth has not been silent since the beginning of the war, and it is extremely important that their voice be heard now to discuss the context of the "new reality" and difficult things to understand," says Lyudmila Shevtsova, Programme Analyst, Youth/HIV UNFPA Ukraine.
In such turbulent times, it is important to reflect on what is happening now and discuss the context of the "new reality." In our "Molo has a question" podcasts, we talk to young people about young people.
"Perhaps we are the lost generation that can learn and thereby change something, as well as influence the moment when the war ends, and there will be a chance to fill this time with the right narratives for the future, in particular, we are looking for them in our podcast" - says Oleg Malets, the host of the podcast, the head of the TVORY! network of youth spaces.
Seven episodes of podcasts with guests have already been released, in particular, about the culture of volunteering with Olena Vuzka, operational director of the Ukrainian Volunteer Service; the information front with the CEO of online media "Svidomi" Anastasia Bakulina; social integration with Olga Dzerzhynska, head of the Youth Council at the Donetsk Regional State Administration; the concept of equality vs. tolerance with journalist, radio host Volodymyr Beglov, as well as the demography issues with Ella Libanova, academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, director of the Institute of Demography and Social Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine named after M.V. Ptukha.
The "Mentalochka" podcast focuses on the experiences of young people during the war, or as the authors themselves describe it - these are delicate interview conversations about the current intense experience. The presenters of this podcast are gender equality expert Yana Pekun and crisis psychologist Oleksiy Udovenko.
In the seven episodes, the following topics were discussed with guests: living in a state of uncertainty, how the psyche works with stress, losing a home, feeling inadequate and toxic relationships.
"War brings irreversible changes to our lives. It forces all of us to live an intense experience of collective trauma every day, from which we cannot hide. But in addition, a completely individual reaction to everything we encounter at this time is formed. Most of the changes provoked by these stressful conditions relate to the mental state. But those ready to talk about their experiences and seek answers and self-help tools become stronger from these trials. Youth, which includes more than one generation, remains one of the least protected categories. At the same time, they are the constant driver of change," adds Yana Pekun, an expert on gender equality.
