A protoiereus of the autocephalous UOC/PCU and spiritual mentor of the “Memory of Blessed Metropolitan Methodius Foundation” expressed his views on the importance of the Church’s involvement in initiatives aimed at helping youth overcome emotional burnout and mental disorders during a round table discussion titled “Called to Life in Fullness”. He particularly emphasized the needs of young military personnel who return from war with injuries and psychological trauma and believes that the Church’s spiritual support can aid them in their path to recovery. The Ukrainian “Life in Fullness” project, which provides youth with hands-on skills, artistic rehabilitation, and emotional support, is particularly beneficial for young people with mental or complex disorders. The Church’s participation in such initiatives is essential because it helps raise public awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with mental or complex disorders and may provide them with spiritual support.

The Participation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Overcoming Emotional Burnout, Mental or Complex Disorders in Youth

The involvement of the church in events aimed at helping young people overcome emotional burnout and mental disorders is becoming more relevant. At the recent round table event “Called to life in fullness”, Roman Budzynsky, a protopresbyter of the autocephalous UOC/OCU and spiritual mentor of the public organization “Memory Fund of Blessed Metropolitan Mefodiy”, shared his thoughts on the importance of such participation.

Father Budzynsky paid special attention to young military personnel who return from war with injuries and psychological stress. He believes that the church’s participation can provide young people with spiritual support that is no less valuable than professional and emotional support.

The Ukrainian project “Life in Fullness” has been providing young people with manual skills, artistic rehabilitation, and emotional support since 2016. Father Budzynsky believes that this experience is very useful for young people with mental or complex disorders.

Therefore, the participation of representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in such events is essential. It helps draw public attention to the problems faced by people with mental or complex disorders and provides an opportunity to offer them spiritual support. It is important to continue such cooperation and encourage others to reduce the social distance between the church and people in need of help.

The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine plays a significant role in society, especially in matters related to the health and well-being of people. The church’s involvement in events aimed at helping young people overcome emotional burnout and mental disorders can be a valuable contribution to this cause. This once again highlights the importance of close cooperation between the church and non-governmental organizations working in the field of mental health and youth support.

The full text of the welcome address to the participants of the round table “Called to life in fullness” by Protopresbyter Roman Budzynsky is presented below:

“Good afternoon, distinguished speakers, guests, and organizers of this round table! My name is Roman Budzynskyi, I am a protopriest of the autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church and a spiritual mentor of the public organization “Fund of Memory of His Beatitude Metropolitan Mefodii.” I would like to share my thoughts on the importance of the church’s participation in events aimed at helping young people overcome emotional burnout. This round table “Called to Life in Fullness” aims to draw attention to the problems of young people with mental and complex disorders, especially young soldiers returning from war with serious injuries and the consequences of psychological stress.

This round table “Called to Life in Fullness” is an important event for our community because such gatherings help to draw public attention to the problems faced by people with mental or complex disorders. Young soldiers returning from war with injuries and the consequences of psychological stress require special attention and support so that they can return to full life and integrate into society.

If I am not mistaken, Taras Pastushenko is a social worker of the “Life in Fullness” project, and this project has been in operation since 2016. Thanks to the systematic work of Caritas, young people have the opportunity to come and stay in workshops every day, where there is manual labor, artistic rehabilitation, communication in fullness and on equal terms. Young people drink tea together, pray together, go on various excursions to castles, museums, and visit exhibitions. All of this is an extremely useful experience. As a spiritual mentor, I see how important it is for young people with mental or complex disorders to have the opportunity to receive professional and emotional support and to be able to talk about their problems and hear support from those around them.

I believe that the participation of the church in such events is very important because it can provide young people with spiritual support, which is no less valuable than psychological and medical help. The church of any denomination can become a source of hope, strength, and comfort for those who are experiencing difficulties and challenges. Thank you for your attention.

For example, our community organization, “The Foundation for the Memory of His Beatitude Metropolitan Methodius,” collaborates with specialists in psychology and social rehabilitation to provide support and assistance to young people in their healing process. Additionally, we organize courses and training that help young people develop self-improvement and self-control skills, which enable them to manage their lives in the challenges of everyday life.

The church is a place where young people or young families find empathy and conversational partners with whom they share their problems and feelings. Spiritual leaders provide young people with the necessary spiritual support, hope, and faith in the future, which can help them find inner peace and calm, balance, and harmony.

In conclusion, I believe that the church’s participation in events aimed at helping young people overcome emotional burnout is very important. For me, it is important that the church continues to be open and ready to provide young people with mental or complex disorders with any necessary support and assistance.

I hope that this roundtable discussion will help raise awareness of the problems young people face with mental and complex disorders, and will also contribute to the development of programs and initiatives that provide support to this group of people. Thank you for your attention, for the invitation, and for the opportunity to participate in this important event. Glory to Jesus Christ!

The source is the Foundation of the memory of His Beatitude Metropolitan…