Teenagers in Mykolaiv are being taught to express their emotions without fear or aggression

In Mykolaiv, teenagers are being taught non-violent communication. Photo: Caritas Mykolaiv UGCC

Training sessions have been organised in Mykolaiv to teach teenagers non-violent communication: how to recognise emotions and manage them safely in conflict situations. The programme is aimed at pupils aged 10–15.

The charity fund «Caritas Mykolaiv UGCC» told NikVesti how children are taught to express their emotions safely.

In 2025, a child-friendly space was established at the «Caritas Mykolaiv UGCC» charity foundation. Based there, as well as during visits to communities across the Mykolaiv region, teachers, psychologists and social workers conduct workshops and various sessions with both children of different ages and their parents.

Social educator Iryna Mykhailova runs training sessions on non-violent communication in the child-friendly space. Before the war, she lived with her family in Melitopol. Following the occupation of the city in 2023, she was forced to move to Mykolaiv. She now continues her work at «Caritas» in the field of psychosocial support, assisting children, teenagers and families in need.

In Mykolaiv, teenagers are being taught non-violent communication. Photo: Caritas Mykolaiv UGCC

In Mykolaiv, teenagers are being taught non-violent communication. Photo: Caritas Mykolaiv UGCC

Iryna Mykhailova explained that the topic of non-violent communication was chosen as it is particularly relevant for teenagers. This is because it is important for teenagers to learn how to talk about their feelings, needs and boundaries without aggression or causing offence. As the teacher explained, adolescence is a time of intense emotions, and conflicts often arise with peers, parents and teachers.

«Children do not always know how to express themselves in a way that ensures they are heard. Adolescence is a particularly sensitive time. The child already wants more independence, but is still learning to manage their emotions, build relationships and stand up for themselves without putting pressure on others. That is why such training sessions help teenagers to understand themselves better, listen to other people and communicate more safely,» said Iryna Mykhailova.

In Mykolaiv, teenagers are being taught non-violent communication. Photo: Caritas Mykolaiv UGCC

In Mykolaiv, teenagers are being taught non-violent communication. Photo: Caritas Mykolaiv UGCC

She noted that the effects of the war are also evident in teenagers’ behaviour. It affects their sense of security. Children are distressed by air raid sirens, relocations, the loss of their normal lives, and separation from loved ones.

«Teenagers are more likely to display anxiety, tension, irritability, withdrawal or, conversely, sudden emotional outbursts. Some find it difficult to trust others, talk about their experiences or ask for help. That is why they really need a space where they can be heard, accepted and learn to express their emotions without fear,» said Iryna Mykhailova.

Before delivering the training sessions, the teacher completed a training course for instructors of the international prevention programme «Words: Windows or Walls».

«This gave me a methodological foundation and a better understanding of how to talk safely and accessibly with teenagers about emotions, needs, personal boundaries and communication. That is why these training sessions are not just a conversation, but a well-thought-out programme adapted to the children’s age,» explained the teacher.

The training sessions are conducted in a workshop format. Through exercises, discussions and real-life scenarios, teenagers learn to recognise emotions, talk about their needs and personal boundaries, and communicate without aggression.

«We don’t give the children long lectures, but rather work through lively conversation, interactive exercises, real-life examples and situations that teenagers are truly familiar with. They learn to distinguish between aggressive and non-violent communication, and try to phrase things in a way that doesn’t attack the other person, but explains their own state of mind. For example, instead of: «You’re driving me crazy», we learn to say: I get angry when I’m interrupted, because it’s important to me that I’m listened to,» the teacher explained.

Iryna Mykhailova added that children are keen to take part in the training sessions, especially when they see that it is not a lesson but a real conversation where they can express themselves. The series of training sessions is designed for pupils aged 10–15. The sessions began in January 2026. So far, a group of 12 teenagers has taken part.

In Mykolaiv, teenagers are being taught non-violent communication. Photo: Caritas Mykolaiv UGCC

In Mykolaiv, teenagers are being taught non-violent communication. Photo: Caritas Mykolaiv UGCC

The teenagers also shared their impressions. They noted that they found it interesting because many situations were «about them»: they could recognise themselves in the examples of arguments with friends, misunderstandings with parents, and conflicts at school.

«I realised that you can talk about anger without making the argument worse,» said 14-year-old Kseniia.
«I realised that sometimes I shout not because I want to hurt someone, but because I’m not being heard,» said 10-year-old Mariia.
«Now I’ll try to say how I feel first, rather than arguing straight away,» added 13-year-old Mykhailo.

As a reminder, there is a youth centre in Mykolaiv supported by the Danish Red Cross, where young people can take part in training sessions, develop their own projects, as well as play board games or watch films. NikVesti explained how the centre works.