Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska orchestrated a gathering of global dignitaries and celebrities at the “summit of first ladies and gentlemen” on Wednesday, focusing on the pressing issue of mental health in a nation grappling with the aftermath of prolonged conflict.
Among the prominent attendees, British comedian Stephen Fry grappled humorously with presentation slides, while French intellectual Bernard-Henri Levy queued up for coffee, and U.S. actor and director Sean Penn sought a moment of respite with a cigarette outside the venue.
Zelenska, the spouse of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has spearheaded a high-profile campaign aimed at fostering open dialogue regarding mental health issues in Ukraine, under the banner “How are you?”
“Ukraine’s strength lies in acknowledging its mental health challenges,” commented Fry during the event, held within the historic Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv.
Fry commenced the proceedings by unveiling the results of a survey commissioned for the event, revealing that only 1 in 50 Ukrainians have received a formal mental health diagnosis, a stark contrast to the statistics of 1 in 4 in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Nevertheless, the survey painted a grim picture, indicating that 1 in 2 Ukrainians now feel “emotionally worse” compared to their pre-conflict state since the Russian invasion.
“This raises concerns that mental health issues in Ukraine may be underdiagnosed or not given the priority they deserve,” Fry asserted.
The accomplished actor, known for his comedy roles, is also the President of Mind, the UK’s largest mental health charity, and candidly discussed his personal battle with bipolar disorder and his experiences with psychiatric care.
Fry disclosed that he had taken shelter in a hotel cellar during the early hours of that fateful Wednesday when Kyiv awoke to the blaring sirens signaling a Russian attack.
“It was quite exhilarating—my first air raid.”
Fry recounted a poignant phone call to his mother, who herself had lived through the Blitz in London, expressing her disbelief at the war unfolding in Ukraine.
“We shared about five minutes of heartfelt sobbing,” he shared.
Speakers at the summit emphasized the paramount importance of good mental health during wartime, with Ukrainian psychiatrist and psychotherapist Oleg Romanchuk likening it to “a form of air defense” that shields individuals from the psychological wounds inflicted by war.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, present on a visit to Ukraine, commended the nation’s commitment to healing the “invisible wounds of war.”
“We are aware that Russia’s war has left some Ukrainians suffering in ways that are not immediately apparent,” Blinken acknowledged.
The United States has pledged $36 million to enhance access to mental healthcare since Russia’s invasion, working closely with First Lady Zelenska to destigmatize seeking help.
However, Israeli clinical psychologist Danny Brom questioned Blinken’s choice of terminology. He asserted that we should not refer to these psychological challenges as “invisible wounds” because, in fact, “they are entirely visible, and it’s our individual responsibility to acknowledge them.”
Among the attendees was Ruslana Danylkyna, a 20-year-old former soldier who lost a leg in combat and now assists other veterans in learning to walk again. She was moved to tears when Fry inquired about her well-being and shared her difficulty in bidding farewell to the army.
“I don’t believe our family’s experience is vastly different from other Ukrainian families in terms of what we’re enduring and feeling,” Zelenska remarked during a group discussion.
She candidly spoke of the constant, prolonged, and never-ending stress that has enveloped the nation.
Her “How are you?” campaign, she stressed, is an extensive initiative conducted at all levels of society, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts in this realm.
The summit also witnessed the physical presence of the Danish Prime Minister and the first ladies of Estonia, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic, along with the male partners of the prime ministers of Denmark, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
Levy, the philosopher known as BHL, lauded the wisdom and sanity of Ukrainian front-line soldiers he has documented for his documentaries. Meanwhile, Penn shared his experiences in creating his first documentary in Ukraine, set to be released later this month.
Hollywood star Richard Gere participated via video link, offering insights into Buddhism.
“It’s all about the soft power,” remarked President Zelenskyy in a speech supporting his wife’s initiative, expressing gratitude to the “opinion leaders” who lent their support to the cause.
