Don't Sit Alone With a Problem
Being able to reach out to people when you need to is so important in building resilience in young people.
It's natural to face challenges, but you don't have to tackle them alone. Reaching out means seeking support, sharing your thoughts, and opening up to different perspectives.
What Does Reaching Out Mean?
A Volunteering project in Jönköping, Sweden
This project aims to increase awareness, integration, and inclusion of young people from different cultures by working with youth centres and the local civil society in Jönköping.
Through projects about democracy, the objective is to create inclusion of young people in the municipality and promote understanding and tolerance among them. By bringing together young people from diverse backgrounds and engaging them in common projects, it helps to build bridges and promote solidarity, which can lead to improved wellbeing for all involved.
Connection:
Building bridges with diverse groups enriches our understanding and broadens horizons.
Learning:
Every interaction teaches something new, from cultural nuances to unique life experiences.
Wellbeing boost:
Feeling connected and understood promotes mental and emotional health.
Keep an eye out for anyone who finds it difficult to think of people to put in their network. This exercise can sometimes highlight someone’s lack of support.
…you may need to help someone with some suggestions about how to expand their networks.
Reach out today, join the
EYMH network is open to young individuals (under 45 in these circumstances) and youth professionals or organisations. Joining will mean involving you in a wide network of organisations, professionals and young people alike, who are passionate to make positive changes in mental health for young people across Europe and believe in our vision and mission.
What is in it for you?
Digital tools such as virtual reality experiences, online forums, and social media platforms can help you connect with others from different cultural backgrounds and engage in meaningful cross-cultural exchanges. For example, social media platforms can be used to facilitate discussions on cultural topics, share cultural experiences, and promote cross-cultural learning.
Youth-led initiatives can be facilitated through community centres, youth organisations, and social media platforms. Both digitally and in person, you can engage in activities promoting cross-cultural communication, such as cultural exchanges, language classes, and intercultural dialogues, which can help break down barriers and increase mutual understanding and respect.
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Later in this topic, you will have a chance to learn more about some powerful digital tools we specifically selected for boosting wellbeing through diversity!
Digital platforms are key for youth, enabling self-expression, skill development, and promoting inclusion.
They provide safe spaces for marginalised youth to connect, advocate, and influence societal attitudes and policies.
Ultimately, digital tools empower youth to shape narratives and actively participate in today's digital society.
Digital tools provide a vital platform for networking and self-expression, enabling youth to connect, share experiences, and advocate for wellbeing and diversity in their communities.
Digital tools to promote cross-cultural exchanges and connect young people from different cultural backgrounds can increase your sense of social connectedness and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Using digital tools in youth-led projects not only brings cultures together but also highlights the awesome potential of young people's digital skills to make positive changes in their communities and have a say in shaping their future.
For youth, Facebook groups can be a resource for mental and physical well-being. By joining specific health-focused groups, young people can access encouragement, advice, and connections with peers.
The first step is to search on Facebook for the types of groups you are interested in! When searching use keywords such as ‘diversity’ or ‘social awareness’ and related groups will appear.
There will be a vast range of groups, so have a look and see which one fits best for you. Once you have decided which group aligns best with your interests, click ‘Join’.
Introduce yourself and engage with the group! Take part in discussions, feel free to ask questions and use provided resources… This engagement will make you feel like part of the community!
Disclaimer: Remember that Facebook groups are not always monitored. Stay safe and be mindful of others in the groups.
Facebook Groups are virtual community spaces within Facebook, allowing users to connect over shared interests. These groups foster engagement in discussions, events, and resource sharing, providing a communal space for like-minded individuals.
Playo is a community platform that allows users to discover, join, and organise local sports and physical activities. Through the app, users can find nearby venues, connect with other players, schedule games, and even track their fitness levels. It aims to foster a love for sports and physical exercise, creating a community space for those who wish to stay active and engaged.
For youth, Playo can be a resource for physical well-being and social connection. By providing easy access to sports events and like-minded individuals, young people can participate in activities they enjoy, enhancing their physical health.
Once you have downloaded the app, created an account and set up your profile it’s time to:
Explore activities and venues: the app has a search feature, meaning you can find sports events and matches near you!
Join or create games: you can join existing games or create your own by selecting the sport, venue, date, and time.
Connect with other players: if you want to connect with other players who have similar interests to you- this app can help!
Attend tournaments hosted in your local area.
When meeting new people or going to new venues, ensure it's a safe environment. Consider taking a friend with you if it's your first time playing with a new group.
Show good sportsmanship both on and off the field. Respect others' skill levels and encourage a positive playing environment.
Canva is a graphic design platform that allows users to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, and other visual content. It's user-friendly and offers a wide range of templates, making it easy for young people to create and share images promoting inclusion.
Create social media posts, flyers, or posters with Canva to showcase diversity by using images representing various races, ethnicities, and abilities. Why not try your hand at using Canva yourself and create a poster about you!?
Explore templates and tools:
Canva has a library full of templates, firstly have a browse through and familiarise yourself with their basic functionality
Identify KEY things about yourself that you want to include… your dreams, hobbies and goals.
- Create a vision board
- Choose a template, add images and icons that represent the goals and dreams you identified earlier. Be creative, use colour and fonts that best suit you.
Share and Reflect
Once you have created your Poster, why not share it with others and highlight the meaning behind the images, text and colours that you have chosen.
Adobe Spark is a suite of design tools that lets users create their own graphics, web pages, and short videos. Its video tool, Spark Video, is especially useful for youth who want to create video stories on inclusion with the ability to add their voiceover, music, and text to video clips and photos.
Another idea… Create a short video with Adobe Spark to share stories of inclusion and diversity!
Here’s how to get started:
The Calm app is a mindfulness and relaxation tool that offers guided meditations, sleep aids, and breathing exercises. These features provide users with methods to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall mental well-being, creating a personal space for self-care and growth.
For youth, the Calm app can be a resource for both mental and physical well-being. By engaging with the tailored content suitable for their age and needs, you too can learn techniques to manage stress, improve sleep, and foster a mind-body connection!
Here’s how:
First, download the app on your device.
Now create an account – open the app and follow the instructions to create an account or sign in if you already have one!
Explore the app – browse the content available and decide which activity interests you both.
Calm offers content tailored for various age groups. Select the ones that are suitable for your age.
Follow the guided activities – many of the exercises are guided…. So, this step is as simple as instructing you to follow along and enjoy!
If you're new to meditation or mindfulness, start with shorter sessions and gradually increase as you become more comfortable.
Like other screen-related activities, be mindful of how much time you spend on the app and balance it with other physical and social activities.
