Sustainable activism starts with wellbeing.
Prolonged crisis conditions place immense psychological strain on defenders. Araminta works with regional partners to build long-term mental health support systems.
What we do:
- Psychosocial support groups across frontline and regional areas
- Integration of mental health into legal and advocacy work
- Burnout prevention and trauma-informed approaches
Mokuteki anti-burnout program
Flagship Initiative: Mokuteki Coaching Program for Ukrainian Civil Society Leaders
Training coaches to support resilience, recovery, and long-term impact
The Mokuteki Coaching Program was created as a direct response to the war in Ukraine. “Mokuteki,” a Japanese word meaning aim or purpose, reflects the program’s core mission: to equip coaches with the skills needed to support Ukrainian civil society and human rights leaders during a time of ongoing crisis.
Developed by Araminta in partnership with the Culture Shock Foundation, this program focuses on practical, high-impact coaching tailored to real-world challenges.
What the Mokuteki Program Offers
The Mokuteki Coaching Program provides structured, in-depth training for coaches who want to work directly with Ukrainian activists and NGO leaders.
Participants gain expertise in:
- Coaching techniques tailored to high-pressure environments
- Understanding and preventing professional burnout
- Managing stress and trauma in leadership roles
- NGO management and organizational resilience
This combination ensures coaches are prepared to offer meaningful, informed support.
Supporting Ukrainian Activists Through Coaching
After completing several months of intensive training, Mokuteki coaches begin working directly with Ukrainian civil society leaders. Their role is to create space for:
- Recovery and mental wellbeing
- Strategic thinking and leadership development
- Sustainable personal and professional growth
The program is designed not just to respond to immediate needs, but to strengthen long-term resilience within Ukrainian civil society.
Impact of the 2025–2026 Pilot Program
The pilot cycle of the Mokuteki Coaching Program (2025–2026) shows clear, measurable impact:
- 18 coaches trained through the program
- At least 36 Ukrainian leaders and senior managers supported throughout 2026
By investing in both coaches and leaders, the Mokuteki program creates a multiplier effect that strengthens entire organizations and communities.
Learn more about the Mokuteki Coaching Program
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
for Ukrainian Human Rights Defenders
Expanding access to care, resilience, and burnout prevention
Since October 2024, Araminta has been working with Ukrainian partners to improve access to mental health and psychosocial support for human rights defenders (HRDs). In collaboration with Action Office and Association of Ukrainian Women Lawyers JurFem, this initiative focuses on reducing burnout and strengthening long-term resilience within Ukrainian civil society.
Building Local Mental Health Support Networks
Through partnerships with 11 grassroots organizations, the project has established accessible, in-person psychological support systems across Ukraine.
Key results include:
- Offline psychological support groups in 7 regions, including frontline areas
- Support tailored for HRDs, mental health professionals, and their family members
- Safe spaces for shared experience, recovery, and peer connection
These local networks ensure that support is both accessible and grounded in the realities faced by activists and service providers.
Integrating Mental Health into Legal and Advocacy Work
As part of the initiative, JurFem has integrated mental health support into its daily operations. This includes:
- Providing structured support for its legal team
- Supporting lawyers working with victims of conflict-related sexual violence
- Promoting sustainable working conditions in high-stress environments
This approach helps ensure that those supporting others also receive the care they need.
Advancing Burnout Prevention in Ukraine
Together with the Mokuteki Coaching Program, this initiative contributes to building expertise in burnout prevention within the Ukrainian context.
The project aims to:
- Increase awareness of burnout and mental health challenges
- Advocate for stronger recognition within Ukraine’s formal healthcare system
- Support the long-term sustainability of civil society organizations
By combining direct support with systemic advocacy, Araminta and its partners are working to make mental health care a core part of human rights work in Ukraine.