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Psychology Support Program for Media During Wartime

Psychological support is another area of assistance that the Lviv Media Forum provides to media professionals as part of its systemic support during the full-scale war. We understand that stress, exhaustion, and prolonged tension can be just as destructive as losing equipment or office space. That is why we offer focused support through individual consultations with experienced psychologists, as well as recovery retreats for journalists.

We work with those whose reporting is critical to the country’s informational resilience — journalists and media workers who continue doing their jobs every day despite risks, emotional exhaustion, and pressure.

We support media professionals who:

  • live and work in Ukraine, actively engaged in journalism under difficult and dangerous conditions, including frontline areas and regions under constant shelling, while covering the course and consequences of the war;
  • have experienced personal losses or prolonged stress caused by the war;
  • show signs of emotional burnout, loss of motivation, or professional fatigue;
  • constantly balance personal safety, stability, and professional responsibility;
  • need support to maintain their ability to continue working in the information sphere.

Why this matters

Media professionals face daily threats to their lives, financial instability, chronic overload, and the pressure of responsibility. Many ignore the signs of exhaustion, postponing self-care because they feel obligated to stay connected, report on events, and speak for those who cannot. But personal resources are not unlimited.

We believe that taking care of one’s mental health is not a sign of weakness — it is a basic condition for continuing to work without burning out.

What the program offers

The Psychological Media Support Program by the Lviv Media Forum includes two directions of support:

Retreats in the Carpathians for media professionals aimed at improving emotional well-being, restoring inner balance and personal resources, and creating new professional connections. The retreat program combines carefully balanced activities, including psychophysical relaxation (SPA and water treatments), physical activities (mountain hiking), cultural experiences (local history excursions across the Hutsul region and гастрономічні тури / gastro tours), intellectual engagement (film screenings and discussion clubs), and trainings focused on mental health and self-care.

Since 2022, with the support of our partners, more than 380 media professionals and their loved ones have been able to recover and recharge in a safe environment surrounded by the healing nature of the mountains.

Individual psychological consultations for media professionals experiencing emotional exhaustion, professional burnout, traumatic experiences, fear of losing work, or other profession-related difficulties. We understand that caring for mental health is essential for staying in the profession.

All participants are guaranteed confidentiality, sensitivity, and respect for personal boundaries.

Within the psychological consultation program, we offer:

  • up to five one-on-one sessions with professional psychologists, fully covered by the program;
  • a flexible approach to the number of sessions — if an applicant can reasonably justify the need for additional consultations, support may be extended in agreement with the Lviv Media Forum team;
  • adaptable formats based on the applicant’s needs, including convenient timing, consultation format (online or offline, where possible), and the specifics of the request.

How to apply for support

Retreats. The Lviv Media Forum organizes retreats several times a year. Information about upcoming open calls is published on the organization’s platforms — the website and social media pages — as well as through partner platforms. To avoid missing future opportunities, we encourage applicants to follow our social media channels.

Individual psychological consultations. This part of the program operates on a rolling basis. Applications for individual consultations are submitted through a short form: form.

The application form includes required fields such as: full name, media outlet or freelancer status, a brief description of the request, and an explanation of why this support is needed at this moment.

The Lviv Media Forum team reviews applications within three business days. Please note that we reserve the right to decline applications without providing a detailed explanation.

Since 2022, the Lviv Media Forum has organized retreats with the support of partners including Prague Civil Society Centre, N-Ost, People in Need, UNESCO, ECPMF, RSF International, and RSF Sweden. In 2026, the retreat program is supported by ECPMF.

The individual psychological consultation program is implemented with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy.