Arts and mental health in wartime: Exchanging experiences with Ukraine

How can arts and cultural activities support people living with trauma, grief, displacement and the continuing pressure of war? And what can mental health professionals across the Baltic Sea Region learn from the experience of Ukrainian communities?

These questions were at the heart of the third international meeting of the Arts for Health and Well-being Network (ArtWell Net), held in Kolomyia, Ukraine. Partners from Ukraine, Sweden, Poland and Estonia came together with local psychologists, educators and cultural professionals to exchange experience and explore how arts-based approaches can support mental health, recovery and community resilience.

Supporting mental health during wartime

For communities in Ukraine, mental health support is needed in circumstances of continuing uncertainty and loss. Veterans, military families, internally displaced people, children and professionals supporting others may all face the psychological consequences of war.

Clinical services remain essential, but they cannot meet every need alone. Safe group activities, trusted local networks and opportunities for creativity and connection can also help people regain a sense of belonging, express difficult emotions and rebuild everyday routines.

This is where approaches such as Arts on Prescription can contribute. Arts on Prescription connects people experiencing mental health challenges or social isolation with facilitated group activities in fields such as visual arts, music, movement, theatre and photography.

During the meeting, partners discussed how experience from Arts on Prescription programmes in the Baltic Sea Region could be adapted to the needs and realities of Ukrainian communities.

From discussion to practical experience

The meeting brought international exchange directly to professionals working in the local community. Psychologists, education professionals, representatives of cultural institutions and community support organisations took part in practical workshops covering neurography, sand therapy, art therapy, music and rhythm, movement, photography and fluid art.

The activities introduced methods that can help people express feelings, ease emotional and physical tension, reconnect with others and find moments of calm. Participants also discussed how these approaches could be used responsibly in their work with different groups, including people affected by war and displacement.

Ukrainian partners shared the methods already being used in Kolomyia and reflected on what they have learned from supporting their community during wartime. Their experience showed how local knowledge, cultural activities and strong community relationships can become part of mental health support when people are living under prolonged pressure.

Learning in both directions

The meeting was built around mutual learning. Partners from the Baltic Sea Region shared their experience of developing Arts on Prescription and connecting the health and cultural sectors. Ukrainian professionals contributed knowledge gained while responding to urgent mental health needs in wartime.

This experience can help the wider region understand how community-based mental health support works during a crisis. It can also inform future preparations for supporting veterans, first responders, displaced people, families and the professionals who care for them.

For the BSR Mental Health Platform, this exchange reflects a central part of its work: bringing together knowledge from different sectors and countries to support mental health throughout life and strengthen the ability of communities to respond to crises. The findings of the this event and the connected ArtWell Net project will feed into the platforms’ work stream on the benefits of arts and culture for mental health.

Building a long-term network

ArtWell Net was launched in Stockholm in December 2025 to build lasting cooperation between professionals in health, culture, education and local government across the Baltic Sea Region and Ukraine.

Led by Sunderby Folk High School and funded by the Swedish Institute, the partnership includes Kolomyia City Council, the West Pomeranian Region, Region Norrbotten and the NDPHS Secretariat. Kolomyia City Council is also an associated organisation of the BSR Mental Health Platform.

Following the first meeting in Stockholm, partners met in Szczecin, Poland, in April 2026. That meeting focused on the roles and well-being of link workers and arts facilitators who support participants in Arts on Prescription programmes.

The meeting in Kolomyia continued this work by connecting international knowledge with the daily experience of Ukrainian professionals and communities. It also underlined a simple point: cooperation with Ukraine is a two-way process. Partners share approaches that may support Ukraine’s recovery, while Ukraine’s experience helps the whole Baltic Sea Region become better prepared and more resilient.

The ArtWell Net project is implemented with financial support from the Swedish Institute.

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