Colors Instead of Fear: How a Simple Creative Activity Restored a Child's Peace of Mind

Nine is an age when the world should be full of play and discovery. However, for a young girl from Kupiansk, this carefree childhood was brutally interrupted by the war. Endless air raid sirens, the sounds of explosions, and a hasty evacuation to Kharkiv left a deep psychological scar. Displacement did not bring immediate relief—the child developed an acute stress reaction to loud noises and sudden sounds outside, flinching in fear every time.

While the father works to provide for the family, the mother acts as the primary caregiver. Due to remote schooling and the child's anxiety, they are together constantly. It was heartbreaking for the mother to watch the war steal her daughter's joy, replacing it with withdrawal and a constant state of hypervigilance.

Desperate to help her child overcome this trauma, the mother brought her to a group psychosocial support (PSS) session. The activity was simple yet profoundly effective: painting plaster figures.

When the girl picked up a brush and faced the blank white figure, a true transformation began. The process of choosing colors and focusing on the details absorbed her so completely that the outside world, with all its anxieties, seemed to fade away. With every brushstroke, pent-up tension was released, making way for inspiration. She wasn't just painting plaster; she was bringing vibrant colors back into her life, pushing out the bleak memories of bomb shelters and shelling.

The girl returned home incredibly happy. The childhood spark returned to her eyes, along with a genuine desire to keep creating. The hand-painted figure became a symbol of safety and a personal victory over her fears.

This story is a powerful testament to the crucial role of creative expression and mental health support for internally displaced children. Such seemingly simple activities are instrumental in healing the invisible wounds of war.

The family expresses immense gratitude for this safe space. Now, a child's laughter echoes in their home once more, and instead of carrying fear, the young girl holds a paintbrush and colors.

These psychosocial support sessions are organized by the Synodal Department of Social Service and Charity of the OCU "Eleos-Ukraine" in partnership with LWF Ukraine, with financial support from the ACT Alliance.