PRESENTATION OF THE PROJECT

In a world where mental health remains a growing challenge, the “Healthy Inclusion through Art” project seeks to transform the lives of young people facing emerging mental health disorders and symptoms. Lasting 24 months, from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2026, this innovative initiative focuses on improving social inclusion through the development of artistic talents and interests. The main purpose of “Healthy Inclusion through Art” is to facilitate the social integration of young people between the ages of 18 and 30 who suffer from anxiety, depressive, trauma-related and stress-related disorders, among others. These conditions can hinder their participation in society, which calls for an innovative approach based on art and creative expression.

Through a youth work methodology, the project focuses on empowering these young people through artistic activities, allowing them to strengthen their self-esteem, improve their communication and foster their inclusion in the community. The project involves both the young beneficiaries and professionals in the youth field, including:

- Youth workers, educators and monitors, who will receive training and tools to implement the artistic methodology.

- Young people with mental health problems, who will find in art a way for self-expression and personal development.

The project is an international collaboration that brings together six organizations from different European countries:

- IASIS NGO (Athens, Greece).

- Stichting Go-Woman Alliance Europe (Leiden, The Netherlands)

- MetaINTELLIGENZE (Palermo, Italy)

- Associçao Magnolia Method (Lisbon, Portugal)

- St. Michael’s Youth Project Limited (Dublin, Ireland)

- AFENES Association (Malaga, Spain)

Together, these organizations will work to develop and implement effective strategies to help the social inclusion of young people through art. Through workshops, creative activities and the exchange of best practices, “Healthy Inclusion through Art” seeks to transform the lives of its participants, providing them with tools for greater social integration. With art as a means of expression, young people are expected to find new ways of communication and participation in society.