Supporting the psycho-emotional resilience of women journalists remains one of the key priorities for Women in Media. One way this support is provided is through dedicated peer support groups for Ukrainian media women.
Women in Media has hosted several such support groups in the first half of 2025. These meetings were made possible through the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands as part of the project “Strengthening the Resilience of Women Journalists in Ukraine: Combating Online Violence and Gendered Disinformation.”
“Due to the full-scale war, Ukrainian women journalists are forced to work under intense pressure, both physical and psychological. Covering sensitive topics, documenting war crimes, reporting from the frontlines— all of this increases the risk of secondary trauma and emotional exhaustion. On top of professional demands, there are also personal challenges: displacement, loss of loved ones, health issues. Through these groups, we want to give journalists space to reflect, speak out, listen to one another, and feel that they are not alone in facing these challenges,”said Women in Media project managerOleksandra Horchynska.
Among the topics addressed in this year’s support groups were emotional self-protection, the right to grieve, and processing personal loss.
“I recently lost someone close to me. It’s not my first loss, but it’s the most painful. I haven’t felt ready to talk about it, like no one in the world could possibly understand me. But when I saw the topic and announcement for an in-person peer support group from Women in Media, I took it as a sign that I should go,” sharedCome Back Alive Foundation journalist Polina Vernyhor.
She recalled that although she didn’t speak during the session, simply listening to the other participants felt therapeutic and gave her a sense of belonging. That, in turn, helped her process the pain more easily:
“Some participants also described hearing insensitive condolences or having their grief dismissed by loved ones. Hearing their stories helped me prepare my own radio program for Hromadske Radio, where I’ll cover the topic of loss. During the support group, the women spoke about many aspects of wartime loss — it deepened my understanding and helped me reflect on my own experiences,”Polina Vernyhor added.
Polina stressed how important these spaces are for women in media, many of whom are not ready to speak publicly about their feelings or emotional experiences:
“I work a lot with the stories of soldiers. And when I write about their lives, I often feel like I don’t have the right to speak openly about my own pain, because I’m in the rear, not suffering like those who are fighting or surviving on the frontlines. But in a small circle, I can relax a bit because I stop fearing judgment.”
The importance of reflecting on personal grief was also noted by Iryna Siedova, journalist and researcher with the Crimean Human Rights Group and another participant in the peer support groups:
“My father passed away in Crimea, and I wasn’t able to attend his funeral. That’s a deep, personal pain that I still struggle to accept. I’m so grateful for Women in Media who helped me get through such difficult times. During the gathering, my colleagues shared their own stories of loss, and that helped me a lot. I feel better now. I want to thank everyone who was there with me.”
Olha Yurkova, journalist and founder of StopFake, has been taking part in the Women in Media’s support groups since nearly the start of the full-scale war. She says the sessions help her better understand her own psychological state, make sense of it, and move forward. They also give useful mental health exercises that help her quickly regain composure.
“I’m so glad I met Mariia Fabricheva through these groups. Mariia is an excellent psychotherapist and facilitator who has created a genuinely supportive space, with honest feedback and respect for boundaries. What I value most about the group sessions is realizing I’m not alone in what I’m going through. Sharing the experience makes it easier to bear. As a media professional, these meetings are a chance to pause and reflect on how much we live through, often without even noticing,”said Olha Yurkova. She added that the initiative by Women in Media is vital. What makes it especially effective is that it’s not a one-time event but a regular work.
Viktoria Yermolayeva, editor-in-chief of Hromadske Radio, also emphasised that support groups are a source of strength, especially during periods of profound loss:
“Every day, journalists absorb pain, hard stories, and personal tragedy. War has only made this more difficult. The number of losses we face now exceeds what anyone can bear alone. A support group offers the chance to be heard and to hear others in return. It reminds you that you’re not alone with the emotions and problems you’re facing, that there are people who understand and support you. It’s a safe space for feelings, free of judgment, where you can always find the right words. A professional psychotherapist gives practical advice that truly works,” said Viktoria Yermolayeva. She described these groups as “a gasp of air in difficult times,” a truly unique opportunity for women in media.
Reflecting on her experience with Women in Media, data journalist Yuliia Dukach said that feeling connected to a community has become one of her core tools for mental well-being. It gives her strength, warmth, and confidence that she is not alone.
“I joined the peer support group for the first time — and I already want to call myself part of it. It may seem simple: to share what hurts, to listen to others, to receive professional support and comments. But it means so much. Because being able to say something that feels shameful or scary, especially when your grief seems ‘lesser’, is not just a relief. It becomes a source of strength and motivation that lasts for weeks,” she shared.
Yuliia also has personal experience recovering from clinical depression — her treatment ended just months before the full-scale invasion began. Since February 2022, she’s lived with the constant fear of falling back into a state that medication alone can’t fix:
“These meetings are more than just a format. They’re a type of support that stays with you long after the conversation ends. They create a space where you can just be, without comparisons, without pressure, without stigma. A place where you can simply hug your colleagues. I’m grateful for this beautiful experience.”
At Women in Media, the team stresses that continuing the peer support groups is vital for community members. Typically held online or offline in Kyiv, both formats have unique advantages, adds Oleksandra Horchynska:
“The online format makes it possible to include participants from different parts of the country, as well as those who have had to relocate abroad due to the war but still want to remain part of the Ukrainian media community. Meanwhile, in-person meetings in Kyiv allow for more intimate connection, face-to-face conversations, and, for some, a chance to finally meet in real life after long interactions online. I hope these gatherings will continue and bring even more women together.”
The next peer support group is scheduled for 7 August offline in Kyiv. Announcements and registration are available through the Women in Media Facebook group.
The peer groups are part of the initiative supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands as part of the project “Strengthening the Resilience of Women Journalists in Ukraine: Combating Online Violence and Gendered Disinformation,” implemented by the Women in Media NGO.