Empatia Program: Building a Community of Ukrainian Mental Health Professionals in the Netherlands

Last week, OPORA’s Empatia Program proudly hosted its second major event for Ukrainian psychologists in the Netherlands — a meaningful space for professional growth, legal insight, experience exchange, and above all, community.

This wasn’t just another event. It was a powerful step in developing Empatia into a true platform of solidarity and resilience — a space where Ukrainian mental health professionals can connect, learn, and grow in a new country.

𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲:
Olena Starynina: “When Empatia announces an event, it immediately feels like a professional holiday. There’s always warmth, inspiration, and the opportunity to connect. And afterwards, even more: ‘It is possible,’ ‘I can do it,’ ‘I am not alone.’”

Yeva Kardash: “It was an incredibly inspiring conversation that opened new doors for growth. Our community is strong, and thanks to people like Larysa Didkovska, we’re reminded that we can move forward without losing our identity.”

Maryna de Boer: “I’m proud to see Ukrainian psychologists — even under pressure — finding the strength to help others. We need more therapeutic spaces to support our psycho-emotional wellbeing in this time of uncertainty.”

Victoria Lishchuk: “Empatia is no longer just a support program. It’s a real community of Ukrainian psychologists in the Netherlands — growing, integrating, and standing together to support mental health for our people.”

We thank all our participants, partners, and speakers — Larysa Didkovska, Anne Wisman, Pim (W.F.) Scholte, Joriene van der Kolk, Yevheniia Soloviova, Kateryna Kanievska, Stacci Penievska 🇺🇦 , Yeva Kardash, Valentyna Parobii, Victoria Lishchuk 🇺🇦🇳🇱, Maryna de Boer, and Olena Starynina — for your openness, trust, and presence.

We look forward to continuing this journey — together, by restoring and supporting the mental health of Ukrainians, wherever they are.

Photo by Lera Manzovitova