BALANCE: Children advocating for mental and emotional well-being

ongoing

BALANCE is an innovative project based in Portugal and Spain, committed to promoting mental health and preventing suicide among young people through a service-learning approach. By making use of theatrical pedagogy, BALANCE creates inclusive spaces for emotional exploration and validation, supported by educators and their families. The project targets vulnerable youth in Catalonia and Coimbra, leveraging youth-led socio-educational organizations like Esplais and Leisure Activity Centers to provide personalized support and promote social cohesion in areas marked by high social exclusion. Through a multifaceted methodology including training sessions, artistic workshops, theatrical performances, and discussion groups, BALANCE aims to raise awareness, foster trust, and facilitate peer learning on mental health topics. By engaging directly with youth, families, educators, and stakeholders at local, regional, and national levels, BALANCE seeks to empower young people, advocate for policy and service change, and promote art as a powerful tool for mental health prevention and community development. Main outomes of the project are the celebration of a youth-led Youth Mental Health Festival at the Iberian level, advocacy recommendations to youth mental health support issued by participants and an analysis on demands and needs for youth mental health digital support services. Leading partners configure a strategic multisectoral alliance, with: The Catalan Foundation of Esplai (Fundesplai), Cáritas Coimbra, Fundación Ayuda y Esperanza and the Intermunicipality Region of Coimbra.