Analysis: Japan, Ukraine tackle teachers' wartime mental healthーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

Impact of War on Education: Destruction of schools, displacement of students and teachers, disruption of learning.
Teacher Mental Health Crisis: High rates of distress, anxiety, fear, loss of strength and energy among Ukrainian teachers.
Psychological Support for Educators: The necessity of providing mental health assistance and practical coping mechanisms for teachers.
Morita Therapy: A Japanese psychotherapy technique used for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and helping individuals cope with anxiety and fear.
"How Are You" Initiative: A nationwide program in Ukraine, spearheaded by the First Lady, offering online expert advice and resources for mental health.
Resumption of In-Person Classes: Efforts to bring students back to physical classrooms, providing a sense of normalcy and hope.
Underground Classrooms and Shelters: Innovative solutions for continuing education amidst ongoing conflict.
Preservation of Culture and Tradition: The role of education in maintaining Ukrainian language, culture, and traditions.

Impact of the Russian Invasion on Ukrainian Education

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, ongoing for over three and a half years, has severely disrupted the educational landscape. A significant number of schools have been destroyed, leading to the displacement of both children and educators. This upheaval has fundamentally altered the daily lives and educational experiences of Ukrainians.

The Crisis in Ukrainian Schools: Statistics and Teacher Distress

Professor Orhan Nikoreno of Ukraine's Poa National Pedagogical University, along with her daughter Associate Professor Katina, highlighted the dire situation at a symposium at Saitama University. They presented alarming statistics:

School Destruction: One in seven schools across Ukraine has been destroyed.
Child Casualties: Over 2,700 children have been killed or seriously injured.
Student Displacement: Millions of students have been displaced within Ukraine and abroad.

A survey conducted in collaboration with Saitama University revealed the severe toll this crisis is taking on teachers' mental health:

Early 2024 Survey: 53% of teachers reported experiencing distress.
October 2024 Worsening: This condition worsened by 5%, with 57.9% of teachers reporting a deterioration in their mental health.
Symptoms of Distress: Teachers frequently experience anxiety, fear, and a loss of strength and energy.

Professor Nikorenko emphasized the critical need for support, stating, "Ukrainian teachers are real heroes, but heroes also need psychological support and useful practices to restore their mental health."

Japanese Support and Psychotherapy Interventions

Saitama University, with its long-standing relationship with Ukrainian educational institutions, has been actively involved in providing support. Jao Danin, a psychology expert and associate professor at Saitama University, has been collaborating with Professor Nikoreno's team for over a year.

Online Workshops and Morita Therapy

Jao Danin has been hosting regular online workshops for Ukrainian teachers, utilizing psychotherapy techniques to help them cope with stress and anxiety. A key methodology employed is Morita therapy, a Japanese approach developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in refugees. The aim of this therapy is to equip Ukrainians with the tools to coexist with anxiety and fear rather than being overwhelmed by them.

Key principles of Morita therapy discussed:

Recognition of Feelings: It is crucial to acknowledge and recognize one's own emotions.
Navigating Overwhelm: The therapy addresses situations where individuals are so overwhelmed they struggle to even identify their feelings.
Collaborative Problem-Solving: Continuous discussion with Ukrainians to identify the best path forward.

One participant shared their experience, stating, "I'm thinking to um engage engage in educational job in my in my near future. So um that was a great opportunity for me to learn. I realized how difficult it is for them to survive amid the situation in Ukraine. And I also learned how important hope can be to overcome that pain."

Real-World Impact: Teachers' Experiences and Workshop Efficacy

The workshops have provided tangible benefits to Ukrainian teachers. Reporter Sikia Satoshi shared insights from a particularly impactful workshop held in Tapisia, a region that has endured intense fighting. Teachers described living in a state of "daytime life and nighttime survival," with one teacher recounting the constant threat of shelling and another expressing extreme fatigue and burnout, struggling to manage their emotions. The added responsibility of ensuring students' well-being further exacerbates their own mental health challenges.

Positive outcomes reported from the Saitama University workshops:

Increased Confidence: Some teachers reported gaining more self-confidence.
Emotional Stability: Discussing their situations helped them remain steady during difficult times.
Openness and Positivity: Professor Nikorenko observed that teachers became more open, positive, and actively sought out sources of inspiration and the will to live.

"We noticed the positive effects of uh Japanese therapy for Ukrainian teachers," stated Professor Nikorenko.

Broader Mental Health Initiatives in Ukraine

Beyond the Saitama University initiative, Ukraine has launched other significant programs to address the mental health crisis:

The "How Are You" Initiative

Spearheaded by First Lady Olena Zelenska, this nationwide program offers expert advice online and assists Ukrainians in finding mental health professionals. It also provides valuable tips for self-care. Zelenska has referred to the fight against trauma as an "invisible front line" and emphasized that mental health care is their "best weapon."

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Support

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been actively supporting these mental health initiatives. Earlier this year, JICA welcomed Ukrainian officials and experts to Japan for consultations with Japanese specialists.

Signs of Resilience and Hope: Resuming In-Person Education

Despite the ongoing conflict, there are signs of resilience and a determined effort to restore normalcy.

Resumption of In-Person Classes: Some schools have begun offering in-person classes again. Students from Mariupol, who had been studying online for over three years, were able to gather in a classroom in Kyiv in September. A school in central Ukraine also successfully resumed in-person classes.
Underground Classrooms and Shelters: Even amidst active fighting, schooling continues in underground classrooms and shelters across Ukraine, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to education.
Hope for the Future: Videos shared at the symposium depicted students and teachers expressing their hopes for the future, underscoring the importance of education as a beacon of hope.

Teachers believe that in-person classes will not only ensure the continuation of education but also provide citizens with the hope that their communities can be rebuilt. A significant concern for many is the preservation of their language, culture, and traditions, which education plays a vital role in safeguarding.