The war in Ukraine has challenged many universities to reorganize their academic activities, shifting most of them online and placing students in the same difficulties experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic: unequal access to lessons, isolation, psychological distress, and lowered quality of educational outcomes. Moreover, Russia’s brutal attack to Ukraine has affected the mental well-being of Ukrainian university students causing higher rates of depression, loneliness, nervousness, and anger.
University of Helsinki has welcomed in all over 30 Ukrainian sociology students via Erasmus+ exchange program and stands as a crucial partner in a large European "Academies4Ukraine" - consortium dedicated to supporting academic resilience of Ukrainian Higher Education system.
EvWell - project team includes the project leader, sociology lecturer Kaisa Kuurne and two part-time project planners Vilma Nihti and Mariia Fursina.
Drawing from the University of Helsinki's expertise, the EvWell - project aims to disseminate best practices in psychological support tailored to situations of war, conflict, and other crisis. The intention is to inspire similar efforts within European academic systems, promoting a culture of solidarity, empathy and support. This commitment includes sharing valuable insights and knowledge through the creation of a digital handbook, ensuring that these resources are widely accessible and beneficial beyond the project's scope.