We celebrate two years together with the Better You & Me project

Two years ago, we launched Better You & Me (BYM), a mental health and wellbeing program created to support Ukrainians in Sweden. These two years have brought countless meetings, honest conversations, tears and laughter, hugs, new friendships, and the powerful feeling of being part of a community that supports each other even in the hardest moments.

“The idea for Better You & Me came in 2023, when mothers at our children's daycare shared their struggles in the changing rooms. We couldn't stand aside. At Hug, we follow a simple principle: see a need, analyse the situation, and find solutions. That's why mental health became one of our core focuses — and over these two years, we've never once doubted this decision.” - Nadiia Kvasha, co-founder HUG and project manager BYM

What began with 44 participants in our first month has become a thriving community of 652 people walking this path together.

"This program gave me the community I was missing — people to talk to, those who truly understand. Thanks to that support, I could finally find my inner balance and start enjoying life again." - Lesia Mizyk, participant BYM

The Heart of the Program

Better You & Me offers comprehensive mental health support through art therapy, dance therapy, emotional support groups, psychoeducational groups, and retreats. Together with participants, we've been learning to understand our needs, overcome anxiety, and break the stigma around mental health that often prevents people from seeking the help they deserve.

"I joined BYM for the first time this summer, at a retreat in Slottsskogen. I still remember the body therapy session — how movement and dance helped release emotions and bring a calm I hadn't felt in a long time. I'm very happy I found this project." - Viktoriia Razinkova, participant BYM

Over these two years, our community has shared 2,100+ hours of individual psychological consultations, 800+ hours of group sessions, and hundreds of stories about trust, healing, and finding the path back to ourselves.

"You have to find yourself within yourself. During Better You & Me sessions, we worked through exercises that helped us reconnect with who we are — learning to notice our needs, understand our emotions, and care for our mental health instead of hiding it." - Daria Volovyk, participant BYM

In the beginning, the project focused mainly on crisis support, helping people navigate the first stages of displacement. Over time, it evolved into something deeper.

"Better You & Me has grown from a small initiative into a living, supportive community of psychological care that helps Ukrainians recover mentally. This journey has been an evolution from a space of individual meetings into a platform for personal growth, where balance, self-care, and mutual respect are core values." - Yaroslava Shven

Today, the project is entering a new stage — the stage of co-creation, as the community itself has become a source of support and inspiration.

"We aim to create a safe and caring space for people affected by war and displacement, because we believe that no one should carry that weight alone. When people feel seen and heard, when there is a welcoming community where they can share their stories — that's where recovery begins." - Viktoria Svidovska

Celebrating Our Journey

On Saturday, we gathered to celebrate this milestone. The anniversary event gathered participants to reflect on our growth and honor the courage it takes to prioritize mental health.

Yunona Lototska joined us with an inspiring lecture, "How to become the author of your own life," exploring how to reclaim the right to choose and find new meaning in our lives. The celebration continued with creative activities: a special bingo game where participants discovered each other's hidden stories and talents, and a collective collage where everyone contributed their personal symbols of mental health.  

The BYM team prepared special gifts for every participant, and the evening ended with cake, laughter, and the warmth of community.

Our heartfelt gratitude

Thank you to everyone walking this path with us — our participants, mental health counselors, partners, and volunteers. Because of you, this project lives, grows, and continues to support those who need it most.

Thank you for being part of our journey!

We Hug You! 💙💛