The objective of the Stories that Heal project was to contribute to improved youth mental health through an INNOVATIVE, INCLUSIVE APPROACH based on personal storytelling and gamified tools. We aimed to STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITIES OF YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS AND YOUTH WORKERS to reach young people more effectively and to ensure the ACTIVE INCLUSION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND YOUTH WITH FEWER OPPORTUNITIES in youth work as mental health ambassadors. The project objectives included: (1) empowering youth workers with the knowledge and methods to support mental health and create safe spaces for dialogue; (2) activating and training mental health ambassadors (people with disabilities and youth with fewer opportunities) to implement preventive activities in local communities; (3) raising awareness among the general public and stakeholders about the importance of mental health and reducing stigma. Through these goals, the project supports inclusion, diversity, the quality of youth work, as well as shared values and civic engagement.
The project Stories that Heal was initiated in response to the GROWING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AMONG YOUTH and a RECOGNIZED GAP IN YOUTH WORK: youth workers and organizations often lack the necessary knowledge, tools, and supportive methods to identify mental distress early, reduce stigma, and effectively include youth with fewer opportunities and disabilities in youth sector activities. According to research, young people with disabilities (including physical disabilities, visual impairments, intellectual disabilities, and mental health struggles) face a 2 to 3 times higher risk of developing mental health issues due to frequent exclusion, lack of understanding, and limited opportunities for community participation. WHO data indicates that 50% of all mental health conditions start by age 14, highlighting the urgent need for early prevention within the youth sector. The partnership between the youth and disability sectors was established to develop INCLUSIVE APPROACHES, strengthen the competencies of youth workers, create conditions where people with disabilities and youth with fewer opportunities can become active mental health ambassadors, thereby contributing to prevention and the destigmatization of mental health among youth.