On September 4, 2023, a historic event took place in the Poltava community, particularly at the University, marking the beginning of operations for a powerful Mental Health Education and Research Center in Poltava. Following a tour of the facility where experts from all fields of psychological and social work will now work, a Roundtable discussion commenced. Regional Coordinator of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “HOW ARE YOU?”, Yuliia Yushchenko, introduced the honorary guests and participants before the start of its proceedings. The event, held in a mixed offline and online format, was attended by the Rector of PSMU, Professor Viacheslav Zhdan, Deputy Head of Poltava Regional Military Administration Oleksii Bruslyk, Heads and representatives of Departments, Heads of PRMA agencies, Deputy Rectors, faculty members of PSMU, leaders and representatives of organizations such as the Poltava Regional Public Health Center, Poltava Regional Social Services Center, O.F. Maltsev Mental Health Center of Poltava Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital, Poltava Academy of Continuing Education M.V. Ostrogradsky, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Poltava Region, the Main Directorate of the National Police of Ukraine in Poltava Region, non-governmental organizations including the UNICEF Children's Fund, the Charitable Foundation “Luhansk Regional Branch ICO “SOS Children's Village,” humanitarian non-profit organization “Intersos,” Charitable Organization “Light of Hope,” NGOs “Confidence Psychological Aid Center,” “University Unity,” “Association of Nurses of Poltava Region,” and the Ukrainian Association of Students. Iryna Mykychak, the Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ukraine; Oleh Chaban, Director of Coordination of Central and Regional Authorities of the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, President of the All-Ukrainian Association of Psychosomatic Medicine, Vice President of the Association of Psychotherapists and Psychoanalysts of Ukraine; Stanislav Tabachnikov, the President of the National Academy of Sciences of Higher Education of Ukraine, as well as regional coordinators of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program from Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zakarpattia, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv regions joined the event online.
Yuliia Yushchenko, the Regional Coordinator of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “HOW ARE YOU?” emphasized that the choice of the Roundtable’s location was not accidental. The newly opened center at PSMU is intended to become an effective platform for conducting scientific research, mental education and psychosocial support. It is envisioned as a hub for implementing the intentions of all stakeholders and facilitating successful collaboration between the public and private sectors in addressing the priority needs in the field of mental health.
The urgent need for its establishment, which had been brewing in society, was addressed by Professor Viacheslav Zhdan, the Rector of PSMU. “We consulted with the Poltava Regional Military Administration and came to the conclusion that the optimal solution would be to open the Center at our scientific base. We meet the necessary requirements and have highly qualified specialists, and therefore, we can provide all the essential support for the successful operation of the Center and its staff and coordinators. More than 7 departments are ready to not only engage in theoretical but, most importantly, practical activities! Through coordinated teamwork, we will achieve success!”, he noted. Deputy Head of Poltava Regional Military Administration, Oleksii Bruslyk, urged everyone to strengthen their resilience against the challenges posed by the state of war and harsh realities. He emphasized the importance of advocacy and informational work to ensure that people help not only themselves but also those around them.
Iryna Mykychak, the Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ukraine and Director of coordination of central and regional government bodies at the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, joined the Roundtable discussions online. She expressed sincere gratitude to the Poltava Regional Military Administration and the Director of the Department of Health, Viktor Lysak, for their support, saying, “There is no doubt that Poltava consistently brings forth very thoughtful and beneficial initiatives. In this case, the establishment of a powerful Education and Research Center here in support of the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, to create the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “HOW ARE YOU?” is another step towards preserving not only one's own mental health but also that of others, thus ensuring the future of the nation. This should permeate the entire system of undergraduate and postgraduate education, all spheres of public life, to help our people overcome the stress caused by the war!”  
“Mental health is just the beginning of a great effort that will be carried out by everyone!' - also stated Oleh Chaban, the President of the All-Ukrainian Association of Psychosomatic Medicine, Vice President of the Association of Psychotherapists and Psychoanalysts of Ukraine, in his online speech.
The key presentations at the Round table included information on the coordination of efforts between the public sector and civil society institutions to meet the needs in the field of mental health (presented by Yuliia Yushchenko), the philosophy of Stoicism as a tool for mental health support (presented by Oleksii Bruslyk), mental health in the ongoing war conditions (presented by Hanna Vasyliieva), and other equally interesting topics that will be explored in the future as part of the Center's work. All of this will serve as a solid foundation for the methodological and practical work of all services.
The opening of the Center made a strong impression on all participants and inspired them to work together for the well-being of individuals, placing them at the center of life and ensuring their full protection.