Duration :
4 – 12 October 2023
Project code :
Coordinating organization :
Culture Clash4U, Holland
Partner organization :
Cyclo Project ry, Finland
Keep the Change, Latvia
Asociația MULTIKULTI,
Romania
YOUTH LINE PORTUGAL,
Portugal
Culture Clash Barcelona, Spain
Culture Clash Greece, Greece
Objective
One of the fundamental objectives of the Mind Matters project is to significantly raise awareness among youth workers about burnout, its signs, and symptoms. In the context of youth work, this entails not only recognizing the unique stressors and challenges that youth workers face but also emphasizing the critical importance of early detection. Youth workers are often deeply engaged in the lives of the young people they support, making their own mental health pivotal to the quality of care they provide. Therefore, the project seeks to sensitize youth workers to the early indicators of burnout, enabling them to identify these signs within themselves and their peers.
Another primary goal of the project is to empower youth workers with the necessary tools, resources, and strategies to effectively manage and, crucially, prevent burnout. This objective acknowledges that youth work can be emotionally taxing and demanding, requiring specialized skills for self-care, stress management, and boundary setting. From the perspective of youth work practice, this means providing youth workers with access to mental health services tailored to their specific needs, facilitating peer support groups where they can share experiences and coping strategies, offering a comprehensive set of self-care resources, and teaching practical techniques for stress management and maintaining healthy professional boundaries. By equipping youth workers in this manner, the project aims to enhance their resilience and overall well-being. The Mind Matters project recognizes that youth work is a nuanced field, and the causes and consequences of burnout in this context may differ from other professions. Therefore, a key objective is to advance our understanding of the unique factors contributing to burnout among youth workers and the specific consequences it has on their well-being and effectiveness. To achieve this, the project conducts research and evaluations that are tailored to the youth work practices. This research-driven approach allows us to continually refine and improve our interventions based on the specific challenges youth workers face. By developing a deep understanding of these challenges, we can tailor our interventions and support mechanisms to address them effectively.
Through these multifaceted objectives, the Mind Matters project aspires to foster a youth work environment that is not only supportive but also sustainable. By enhancing the mental health and overall well-being of youth workers, the project seeks to elevate the quality of youth work practice. In turn, this will have a positive ripple effect on the well-being and development of the young individuals served by these youth workers, ultimately contributing to healthier, more vibrant communities.
Feedback
The mindfulness practices and stress-management techniques were definitely the most valuable for me. Learning how to manage my own stress in a demanding work environment was eye-opening, and I feel much better equipped to handle tough situations now. I also really appreciated the peer discussions, as they gave me the chance to learn from others’ experiences and share tips for maintaining mental health in youth work. Lastly, the cross-cultural exchange was great for broadening my perspective on how different communities approach mental health, which will help me be more inclusive and understanding in my own work.
— Anastasiia Ivanova
Cyclo Project ry 