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Embodying Health : Art Healing

2026-1-FR02-KA153-YOU-0003997652026Mobility of youth workersongoing
Countries: FR|PL|IT · Grant: €39,824
Physical and mental health, well-beingCreativity, arts and cultureNew learning and teaching methods and approaches

Objectives

Embodying Health – Art Healing aims to concretely strengthen youth work practices in addressing mental health challenges by harnessing art and creativity as tools for expression and transformation. We explore art as a medium for expressing emotions and the individual's inner dialogue, to make it accessible and suitable for educational and social contexts.. The objective is to empower youth workers to feel capable and aware of using artistic practices—movement, writing, visual arts, performance, storytelling—to initiate sensitive dialogue around mental health. Art becomes a bridge: it facilitates expression when words fail, supports emotional regulation, and fosters mutual understanding. The project develops a strong professional approach: active listening, awareness of one's limitations, the ability to create safe spaces, and the capacity to refer individuals to healthcare professionals when the situation warrants it. The workshops piloted during the mobility program offer formats directly transferable to the participants' home organizations. They are designed for all young people, with particular attention to those experiencing vulnerabilities. In keeping with previous editions of Embodying Health, the methodology is experiential. It conveys a way of doing things: welcoming, activating, creating, reflecting, and integrating. Art Healing deepens this dynamic by placing artistic creation at the heart of the process as a tool for awareness and inner transformation. This approach helps to dissolve prejudices related to mental health issues and provides concrete benchmarks for identifying warning signs, facilitating early referral to appropriate services. One year after the mobility program, we are targeting organizations capable of integrating regular art workshops into their practices, creating safe spaces for expression, and fully embracing their role as intermediaries with qualified professionals. The project also consolidates our methodology within a committed European network, strengthening its coherence and robustness. Embodying Health – Art Healing provides frontline workers, often on the front lines, with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to act effectively. It enhances the quality and innovation of youth work in mental health by placing creativity at the heart of care and support.

Project partners (4)