Self-Regulation and First Psychological Aid: A Practical Guide for Educators from East SOS
The war places daily strain on both children and teachers, who often remain a vital source of stability and support for students. Working under constant threat while carrying their own lived experiences, educators need practical tools for self-regulation and psychological support. This is no longer optional – it is essential.
The manual “Self-Regulation and First Psychological Aid: Tips for Teachers” serves as a practical roadmap for working effectively under stress. It explains how the body responds to traumatic experiences and offers clear, actionable algorithms, including:
- For teachers: techniques to quickly restore emotional balance during lessons, work with personal triggers, and build internal sources of resilience;
- For working with students: methods of co-regulation in the classroom and guidance on supporting a child during hysteria or an acute crisis;
- A dedicated section on adolescents: focused on supporting young people who are experiencing loss.
“The war has profoundly affected everyone and changed our way of life. Yet there are things we can influence. We can teach ourselves and our children to regulate our reactions, and this guide is a tool for restoring control and balance,” – said psychologist Anna Lenchovska, expert involved in creating the guide.
In April and May 2025, nearly 400 teachers from the Sumy region took part in a series of webinars titled “I Understand, I Feel, I Support: Algorithms for Helping Yourself and Children in Stress,” led by psychologist Anna Lenchovska. The full teaching staffs of five schools participating in the School Up project – including principals, methodologists, teachers, class tutors, and social educators – learned how to recognize and manage their own stress responses and provide effective support to students living in conditions of prolonged uncertainty and danger.
During the spring and summer of 2025, school psychologists from the villages of Konotop, Mykolaivka, and Kosivshchyna in the Sumy region also received mentoring and supervisory support from psychologist Kateryna Holzberg. Together, they developed a specialized program for psycho-emotional relief for children growing up in frontline communities and experiencing the daily consequences of war.
“We understand that only a balanced and resourceful teacher can create a safe space for students. This manual is our contribution to strengthening the psychological resilience of Ukrainian educators,” emphasized Mykola Overchenko, Education Programs Manager at East SOS.
Building on this extensive training and in response to educators’ requests, East SOS presents the practical guide for teachers “Self-Regulation and First Aid: Tips for Teachers,” which is now available for download.
Since 2016, East SOS has been providing comprehensive support to the educational process, with a particular focus on frontline communities. During the war unleashed by russia, teachers face a double burden: creating a safe and supportive environment for children while simultaneously coping with their own pain, anxiety, and exhaustion. For this reason, equipping educators with effective tools for self-regulation and psychological support is critically important.
The recommendations for educators were developed by psychologist Anna Lenchovska as part of the project “School Up: Supporting Schools in the Sumy Region in Improving the Safety and Psychological Well-Being of Educational Process Participants.” The project is implemented by East SOS with the financial support of the Fondation suisse de la Chaîne du Bonheur (Swiss Solidarity).
Click the active links to learn more about the training provided to 400 teachers and school psychologists in the Sumy region during the spring and summer of 2025.
