Breathe

Hellenic Youth Participation, recognising the rapidly increasing mental health challenges faced by young people across Europe, created BREATHE as a meaningful response to this pressing need. According to the Eurobarometer (October 2023), 46% of young respondents experience mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression without receiving the support they need. The data is even more alarming for adolescents: the World Health Organization reports that 1 in 7 young people aged 10–19 faces mental health disorders, while depression and anxiety rank among the most common causes of illness or disability for ages 15–19. At the same time, suicide is the 4th leading cause of death among adolescents globally.

What we achieved:

• Trained 26 youth workers and educators from various countries

• Tested activities that enhance resilience and emotional connection.

• Highlighted the importance of nature as a tool for mental wellbeing.

• Created a community of professionals committed to investing in youth support.

• We created a collection of 10 nature-based activities.

• We created a Breathe 10day Challenge where 40 people active in the youth field participated

BREATHE demonstrated that when those who guide young people feel empowered and supported themselves, they can offer safer, more nurturing, and truly supportive environments for adolescents.

The objectives of BREATHE were to:

1. Develop a deeper understanding of mental wellbeing and the factors that hinder or promote it among 24 youth workers (particularly those working with adolescents).

2. Build competences (knowledge, skills, attitudes) related to designing and implementing nature-based activities that enhance mental wellbeing by focusing on the interconnection between body, emotions and communication.

3. Strengthen the motivation of youth workers to address mental wellbeing and incorporate nature connection into the activities they facilitate.

4. Create a European supportive network of youth workers and educators from diverse backgrounds with shared needs and interests.

5. Produce at least ten innovative nature-based activities that promote mental wellbeing by strengthening the connection between body, emotions and communication.

BREATHE was co–funded by the European Union and the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation. 

Would you like to participate in future HYP project?

HYP continues to design and deliver initiatives that promote mental wellbeing, personal development and meaningful connection with nature.

If you work with young people, are interested in non-formal education, or would like to join future European training courses, you can:

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Together, we can create spaces of safety, empowerment and real change.