MIND in balance, people in focus: Practical resources for youth workers

Aims of the tool

The MIND toolbox aims to strengthen youth workers' capacity to support young people's mental health and well-being through Mindfulness, Inclusion, Non-Judgment and Diversity. It provides practical, adaptable methods for creating safer and more inclusive spaces, reducing stigma, strengthening resilience and participation, and supporting young people with fewer opportunities, particularly in rural and under-resourced communities.

Description of the tool

MIND in Balance, People in Focus is a practical learning resource developed for youth workers, trainers and organisations working with young people. It is based on the MIND framework: Mindfulness, Inclusion, Non-Judgment and Diversity.

The toolbox combines background knowledge with ready-to-use non-formal education methods addressing mental health, emotional well-being, inclusion, cultural sensitivity, stigma, resilience, participation and empowerment. It includes mindfulness and grounding practices, reflection exercises, activities for creating safe and brave spaces, inclusive facilitation methods, partner-developed tools, dissemination activities, guided meditations and podcasts.

The activities can be used individually or incorporated into youth exchanges, training courses, workshops, local youth activities, team meetings and other non-formal learning settings. They are designed to be flexible and adaptable to different ages, group sizes, abilities, cultural backgrounds and local realities.
Through using the resource, youth workers can strengthen their ability to create inclusive and psychologically safer learning environments; facilitate conversations about mental health without judgment; use simple mindfulness and emotional-regulation practices; recognise barriers to participation; adapt activities for young people with fewer opportunities; promote empathy, resilience and intercultural understanding; and support meaningful youth participation.

The resource was developed within the Erasmus+ MIND project and informed by the experiences and needs of youth workers from Czechia, Croatia, Germany and Hungary.