75% of women who took part in the “ReStart Mindset 2025” programme reported a significant reduction in stress and anxiety, while symptoms of depression decreased by 60%. These are the results of a three-month initiative designed to support women affected by the war — veterans, internally displaced persons, returnees, and relatives of military personnel.
The “ReStart Mindset 2025” programme combined psychological support, mental relaxation techniques, assertiveness training, and digital security courses. Its aim was to provide participants with practical tools to improve their emotional well-being, develop daily self-care habits, and strengthen resilience and capacity for growth — even in the face of life’s challenges.
On 18 October 2025, the final event of the programme’s second wave took place in Kyiv. The initiative was launched by Impact Force, a Ukrainian NGO, with the technical support of UN Women in Ukraine and funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).
WPHF is a flexible and rapid financing mechanism that supports quality interventions aimed at strengthening the capacity of local women to prevent conflicts, respond to crises and emergencies, and leverage key opportunities for peacebuilding.
The programme created a safe and empowering space for women who have endured the consequences of war — a space to restore mental balance, learn self-regulation and self-defence techniques, strengthen digital safety skills, and rebuild trust in themselves.
This year, organisers received over 700 applications from women veterans, family members of veterans and active service members, internally displaced women, and those who returned to Ukraine after years abroad. Over the course of three months, 100 selected participants completed more than 80 hours of practical training focused on emotional stabilisation, self-awareness, and reducing anxiety.
The results demonstrated significant positive change across participants’ emotional well-being. A comparison of pre- and post-programme assessments revealed marked decreases in depression, anxiety, stress, sleep disturbances, and physical symptoms related to tension.
- Depressive symptoms decreased by ≈60%
- Stress and anxiety levels dropped by 60%
- Autonomic nervous system dysfunctions (measured by the Wayne scale*) decreased by ≈45%
- PTSD symptoms showed a downward trend of ≈35%
- Sleep quality improved by 40%
The Wayne scale is a self-assessment questionnaire that helps evaluate signs of autonomic dysfunction such as palpitations, sweating, or fatigue.
Overall, the average improvement across all indicators ranged from 55% to 60%, with approximately 75% of participants demonstrating clinically significant improvement in two or more areas.
“The women who completed the programme are an example of strength born out of self-care. We see not just improved indicators, but profound changes in the quality of life. ReStart Mindset proves that systemic support can restore a person’s sense of wholeness. Mental health care is not a luxury — it is essential for a society’s resilience during war and post-war recovery,”
— said Olga Diakova, Co-founder of Impact Force.
Participants engaged in three interconnected components:
- Mental Resilience — training in Mental Relaxation Technique (MRT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) practices: 60 hours of group sessions with psychologists, over 17 hours of guided MRT practice, and more than 30 hours of individual daily practice (1–2 times per day, 15 minutes each).
- Self-Defence and Assertiveness (WenDo) — training that combines communication techniques with elements of body-based therapy.
- Digital Security — online courses and workshops helping participants identify and mitigate risks in the digital environment.
The final event in Kyiv gathered programme graduates, experts, psychologists, and partners. The day featured certificate presentations, a group MRT session, an art therapy workshop, and networking — marking not just the conclusion of a cycle, but a new beginning for many women who have regained their inner strength.
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The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) with technical support of UN Women Ukraine. The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) mobilizes critical support for local and grassroots civil society organizations working on women, peace and security and humanitarian action. WPHF is a flexible and rapid financing mechanism supporting quality interventions designed to enhance the capacity of women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities.