ID Talks: Discovering Mental Health Practices

Mental Health and Wellbeing of youth are at the core of European Youth Goals and the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027. It aims at achieving better mental wellbeing and end stigmatisation of mental health issues, thus promoting social inclusion of all young people. Nonetheless, a significant and increasing number of young people across Europe are expressing their concern at the prevalence of mental health issues such as high stress, anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses amongst their peers. Young people cite the immense societal pressures they face today, and express a need for better youth mental health provision. 

SALTO Inclusion & Diversity Resources Centre and the Mental Health in Youth Work project jointly announce 2023 as “ID Talks: Year on Mental Health”, with the spring 2023 edition under the motto “Understanding Mental Health” and the autumn 2023 edition under the motto “Discovering Mental Health Practices”.  

The autumn 2023 edition of the “ID Talks” is a series of 5 online workshops on 5 different practices and approaches on young people’s mental health and well-being as examples of quality youth work. The series features youth workers and other practitioners from all over Europe who offer an insight to their work, local and international projects. They share personal stories, inspire and give you food for thought. The speakers will explain participants how they addressed young people’s mental health and well-being and inspire the audience to make their programmes and organisations more inclusive, embrace human differences, look ahead and picture what the future of youth work and Inclusion & Diversity might look like.

Each workshop begins with the input from a guest speaker. After the input, participants have the opportunity to engage in small practical tasks, lively discussion, ask questions, and share about their own realities and experiences.

When? 

Every other Wednesday, at 13h CET, from 13 September until 8 November. 

• 13 September (13h CET) > ID Talks: Participation and Mental Health - How can you address young people’s mental health and well-being through participatory and democratic approaches? Having a role and being part of something bigger is good for your well-being. But how do you increase transparency about mental health and mental illness prevention at municipal level? Join us to discover a few simple yet effective solutions that have the potential to inspire policy change. Guest speaker: Martine Antonsen, Mental Health Youth, Norway 

• 27 September (13h CET) > ID Talks: Movement and Mental Health - Can physical leisure-time activities help young people to take care of their body and mind? Movement and dance have clear benefits your mental health and well-being. So how can youth workers incorporate movement and dance in their daily work or in their international projects? Let’s walk the talk and do something physical that can be easily replicable in your work as well. Guest speakers: Jagoda Idzik & Izabela Bejm, Sempre a Frente Foundation, Poland

• 11 October (13h CET) > ID Talks: Peers and Mental Health - Peer-to-peer work is nothing new: it is successfully used both in formal and non-formal education settings. But how can peer support improve young people's mental health and well-being? How does this peer-to-peer magic work in practice? How can you address bullying and do information and prevention work through this approach? And, last but not least, what is the role of you(th workers) in this process? Learn about the power of peer support and its positive impact on young people’s lives. Guest speaker: Inge Esselen, Peer Support Vlaanderen, Belgium - FL

• 25 October (13h CET) > ID Talks: Art-Story and Mental Health - How can creative processes give young people a way to talk about difficult issues? Visual arts and storytelling help to name, explain and accept feelings and understand why they surface. Through objects and metaphors it is easier to communicate about mental health concepts. So what potential does storytelling have for your youth groups? If you ever found it challenging to express your thoughts and emotions verbally, join us to discover the alternatives. Guest speaker: Laura Mellanen, visual art practitioner, Finland

• 8 November (1 PM CET) > ID Talks: Solutions and Mental Health - When tackling the topic of mental health and well-being, we mostly focus on the shortcoming and barriers, offering external support. But it is even more important to focus on talents, inner resources and giving perspectives. So how do you build resilience and support young people’s well-being using a solution-focus approach? To change (y)our perspectives, let’s shift the focus and talk about young people’s strengths. Guest speaker: Lize Abrahams, Arktos, Belgium - FL

For whom?

Youth workers, youth leaders, professionals, and volunteers involved in ID in the EU youth programmes, as well as all those interested in youth work and Inclusion & Diversity topics.

How to register?

Fill in and submit the registration here! 

IMPORTANT NOTE: although there is a deadline, it's always possible to register at any time for the sessions that will still take place.

All registered participants will receive a link to the Zoom meeting a week before each session takes place.

For more info, check here!