“How to Support Yourself in Today’s Reality” Event for Students of School No. 118

On March 14, a powerful and heartfelt event — “How to Support Yourself in Today’s Reality” — took place at the specialized “Vsesvit” School No. 118 in Kyiv, bringing together 45 students. The main guest of the day was Natalia Ostrovska, a well-known TV presenter from 1+1 and TSN, who led an open and emotional conversation with the teenagers.

Facing Today’s Challenges: Finding Inner Strength

Fear of the future, information overload, emotional exhaustion — these are the realities faced by modern teenagers who need understanding and psychological support more than ever. Every day feels like a test of resilience, where emotional stability becomes a key life skill.

During the “How to Support Yourself in Today’s Reality” workshop, participants learned practical self-support techniques:

• breathing exercises to reduce anxiety,
• tools for identifying and managing emotions,
• and methods of quick relaxation.

A favorite moment among students was the interactive “Moose and Tree” exercise, which helps release emotions and relieve physical tension through movement.

These skills empowered the participants to become more mindful of their emotional state, manage stress more effectively, and maintain psychological resilience in challenging circumstances.

Advice from a Star TV Presenter

Natalia Ostrovska shared not only her personal experiences but also practical tools for overcoming life’s difficulties.
The teenagers had a unique chance to learn firsthand insights about personal growth, confidence, and perseverance from one of Ukraine’s leading journalists.

To help the students cope with daily challenges, Natalia discussed:

• how to handle stress and take care of oneself during hard times;
• why believing in yourself is a real superpower;
• and how to create your own “recipe for self-support” that truly works.

The conversation turned out to be deeply emotional. One of the warmest moments came when a student presented Natalia with a hand-drawn portrait, moving everyone present.

Feedback That Inspires

The feedback collected after the event wasn’t just a list of impressions — it reflected the genuine emotions and inner growth of the participants:

• “I really liked the event, especially when celebrities came and talked about their lives.”
• “A great and interesting event — like a breath of fresh air!”
• “It was so inspiring and uplifting — I really enjoyed it.”
• “It was awesome! Natalia Ostrovska is so kind and beautiful, she really inspired me.”

About the Project

The “How to Support Yourself in Today’s Reality” series is part of a broader socio-emotional support program for children, implemented in partnership with UNICEF Ukraine.

Such initiatives play an especially important role during these challenging times for the country.
They give teenagers practical tools to manage stress, build confidence and inner balance, and maintain hope and positivity about their future — despite the uncertainty around them.