BENEFIT is a project focusing on empowering young people and youth workers to build resilience and strengthen their mental health, improve their wellbeing and support their inclusion in the labour market and society. Developing resilience and coping mechanisms equips individuals with the ability to bounce back from adverse events (life-changing situations and stressful conditions) and adapt effectively over time (APA, 2018). Resilience has been linked to positive youth development, better social adjustment, personal and professional success, and better job opportunities (Almlund et al., 2011; Jackson, 2007). The project therefore had the following objectives: 1. To support the mental wellbeing of young people, enabling them to overcome challenges and obstacles. 2. To enable youth workers to provide comprehensive support and services to young people. 3. Promote mental health informed youth work to support young people to respond to and overcome challenges. 4. To develop quality resources for young people and youth workers.
Young people face increasing obstacles and challenges in entering and maintaining employment in a rapidly changing and increasingly demanding labour market. It is a reality that gives them a general tendency for growing uncertainty and stress when it comes to their professional and economic security and personal growth. These realities and challenges highlight the need for young people to build resilience and equip themselves with the capacity to cope with the psychological impact of their situation and to be able to face the challenges head on and to thrive personally and professionally. Strengthening their psychological resilience increases their chances of entering or maintaining their place in the labour market and society and supports their integration. In addition, it is clear that the support structures and services offered to them by youth workers and organisations should be improved and expanded to best meet their needs. As a consortium of experts in different fields relevant to this issue (e.g. youth, community, scientific and mindfulness work), we saw the need to work together to provide relevant products to address the issues at hand.