ID Talks: Year on Mental Health

The spring edition is under the motto “Understanding Mental Health” 

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 spring edition will address 5 introductory topics to form a general understanding of young people’s mental health and wellbeing and its link to quality youth work. The series features youth workers, professionals and volunteers, from all over the world to share insights, research findings, food for thought, good practices or inspirational stories. They will guide participants through the pressing matters and challenges affecting young people’s mental health and wellbeing 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 the discussion, ask questions, and share about their own realities and experiences.

When? 

Every other Wednesday, at 13h CET, from 15 February until 12 April. Check the Facebook event here!

• 15 February (13h CET) > ID Talks Mental Health Explained: You increasingly hear about mental health in the media. But what is mental health really about, and what not? How is mental health perceived and interpreted? How are young people today doing regarding mental health and wellbeing? What should we know, pay attention to, and be prepared for? Put your assumptions to the test and gain a common frame to look at mental health. Guest speaker: Maria Agorastou, Greece 
• 01 March (13h CET) > ID Talks Climate-Change Anxiety: If climate change and environment make young people take to the streets, these global challenges obviously have an influence on their mental health and wellbeing? What kind of approaches help you to address their climate-change worries? How can you promote climate resilience, both at an individual and at a societal level? Come and discover what role youth work can have to tackle climate-change anxiety. Guest speaker: Anna Pribil, Austria
• 15 March (13h CET) > ID Talks Social-Media Addiction: You probably know (young) people who are constantly glued to their phone. Maybe that’s you? Let’s zoom in on social media addiction. How can you identify it in yourself and in others? Find out what are the main issues, causes and consequences. And how does it impact the mental health and wellbeing of the young people? Find out what practical tools and support youth work can offer. Guest speaker: Katja Mankinen, Sosped Fondation, Finland
• 29 March (13h CET) > ID Talks Supporting Young People’s Wellbeing: You probably (hopefully) feel that youth work supports young people’s mental health and wellbeing. But what are young people’s needs, and how can you identify and support those needs better? What kind of (extra) support do young people with fewer opportunities need for their mental health? Get an insight in coping and resilience strategies and learn how to create a sense of belonging and safe spaces (among others) in international projects. Guest speaker: Ana Perović, Serbia
• 12 April (1 PM CET) > ID Talks Youth-Workers Wellbeing: In order to take care of someone else, you need to take care of yourself as well! But how do you take care of your self-care? What are the main wellbeing issues that youth workers are experiencing? How do you prevent and overcome (emotional) exhaustion and burnout? Get to know the competences you need to take care of your own mental health and wellbeing (as a youth worker) so that you can continue to attend to the needs of young people. Guest speaker: Natalja Gudakovska, Latvia

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!