The implementation of this project aimed to achieve the following objectives: Support and guide divorced men with emotional, psychological, and social support through support groups to help them navigate the complex challenges of divorce. This included enabling them to process their experiences, rebuild their lives, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. The aims were also to preserve and strengthen father-child relationships; to promote mental health and well-being; to prevent conflict and promote positive parenting; to encourage equal parenting participation; to introduce and adapt a proven program; to enhance key competencies of participants; to reduce the negative impact of divorce on families. The long-term vision was to create a sustainable support system for divorced men in Estonia, contributing to a societal culture that values emotional well-being, healthy family dynamics, and shared parenting responsibilities. The project aimed to set a foundation for further initiatives that promote nonviolent, inclusive, and supportive approaches to family relationships.
We applied for this project because of the urgent need to address the challenges that divorced men in Estonia face and the societal impact of divorce on families and children. Divorce is a significant life event that often results in severe emotional, psychological, and social consequences for all parties involved, particularly men. In Estonia, where the divorce rate has averaged 44.2% over the past five years, the consequences of divorce manifest in psychosocial and clinical issues such as depression, anxiety, parental alienation, and substance abuse. Despite these challenges, men, especially in Nordic and Baltic regions, tend to avoid seeking help due to cultural norms of self-reliance and emotional restraint. This gap in support systems for men motivated us to introduce a proven program, Erosta Elossa ("Separate Lives"), which has already demonstrated success in Finland. By importing and adapting this program to the Estonian context, we aim to provide comprehensive support for divorced men, enabling them to rebuild their lives and maintain positive relationships with their children.