Art as a Pathway to Youth Inclusion and Wellbeing

Within the framework of the international project Healthy Inclusion through Art, a meaningful exchange recently took place with Cristina Velasco, employment officer at YMCA Spain. The meeting served as an opportunity to share ideas, good practices, and explore synergies between initiatives that share a common goal: to improve the wellbeing and social inclusion of young people.

At Healthy Inclusion through Art, the mission is to support young people experiencing mental health challenges or emerging symptoms by equipping youth workers and professionals with tools to better accompany them. The project is driven by the belief in art as a powerful channel for emotional expression, talent development, and social inclusion.

The conversation with YMCA was enriching and forward-looking. YMCA Spain has long been committed to supporting children, young people, and families in vulnerable situations through programs in training, employment, wellbeing, and volunteering. The dialogue opened doors to future collaborations that can amplify impact and strengthen the support network for youth.

The project is already making significant progress. Free training content has been published and is available to professionals, and the team is currently working on an eBook compiling tools, experiences, and methodologies developed throughout the initiative.

By harnessing creativity as a motor for change, Healthy Inclusion through Art seeks to empower youth, foster inclusion, and address mental health needs in a positive, participatory way.

For those interested in accessing the upcoming eBook, the team invites you to reach out via info@aiij.org.

This project is co-funded by the European Union.