The project aimed to integrate mindfulness into youth work to enhance the well-being, mental health, and active engagement of youth and youth workers. Objectives included increasing youth workers' proficiency in mindfulness practices, developing mindfulness curricula and e-courses for both youth workers and young people, assessing the impact of these practices, establishing a pool of mindfulness instructors within the youth work field, and raising awareness about the benefits of mindfulness.
VitaTiim initiated the 'YOU(th) in the moment' project after recognizing the need for a structured approach to integrate mindfulness into our youth work. Despite our team's experience with holistic methods, we lacked a cohesive strategy for their application. This project aimed to develop mindfulness programs for both youth workers and young people, suitable for digital use and integration into daily and organizational activities. Prompted by research indicating significant mental health challenges among youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, with around 90% experiencing distress, our project sought to enhance youth workers' capacity to use mindfulness for supporting young individuals. Mindfulness, known for fostering present-moment living, acceptance, and curiosity, shows promise in improving self-esteem, emotional regulation, and resilience. Considering mindfulness's proven effectiveness in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress, our project focused on leveraging these practices to support youth facing various life challenges, aiming to bolster their mental health and well-being.