CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS
Empowering Minds for Change: Youth Mental Health Advocacy and Policy Training
Date: 22nd – 27th November 2024 (including traveling days)
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Spots available: 20 participants
Themes: mental health, advocacy, policy, psychological support, fighting stigma, youth work
Working language: English
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
20th October 2024
YHO presents the Empowering Minds for Change: Youth Mental Health Advocacy and Policy Training, a 4-day intensive educational event which brings together young people, youth workers, leaders and advocates, youth researchers, members of youth organizations, and experts for discussions, interactive training activities, and workshops on the topic of mental health and advocacy. If you are a youth worker or advocate involved in mental health or any related field, or simply want to expand your knowledge on the subject, this is the perfect opportunity.
Idea and aims
Our goal is to empower and educate youth workers, making mental health interventions more accessible to them, while building their capacity to support and advocate for young people. Through the workshop, participants will explore different aspects of mental health and wellbeing, particularly in relation to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health.
The training will consist of two modules: 1) Mental Health for Youth Workers and 2) Health Policy and Advocacy with focus on Mental Health, however some sessions will be held for everyone.
Module 1: Mental Health for Youth Workers
The participants of this module will have the chance to learn what the symptoms of common mental health disorders amongst youth are, the correct terminology, how to work with youth that is facing difficulties with their mental health (psychological first aid, suicide prevention, burnout prevention, how to help a person struggling with a specific mental health disorder) and what are the new developments in the field of youth mental health. Participants will be collaborating in creating a toolkit for young people to use in their everyday lives to effectively take care of their mental health.
Module 2: Health Policy and Advocacy with Focus on Mental Health
This module will focus on building policy-writing and advocacy skills, ensuring participants can create meaningful change in their communities and on the European level. The sessions will cover topics such as health policy, advocacy 101, policy writing basics and activism. With gained knowledge the participants will be preparing and pitching an advocacy strategy on youth mental health.
The main goals of the Empowering Minds for Change: Youth Mental Health Advocacy and Policy Training are to:
- Raise interest among young people and youth organizations about mental health.
- Promote evidence-based projects and exchange knowledge of good practices when working with youth that is facing difficulties with their mental health;
- Empower the participants with the necessary skills and capacities in order to effectively work and advocate in the field of mental health;
- Empower the participants with the necessary tools to fight stigma in the mental health field;
- Empower the participants to effectively take care of their own mental health;
- Give participants the opportunity to network with stakeholders, mental health professionals, and organizations working on the same topics.
Programme
Youth School: 21–22 October 2024
ENSP Conference: 22–24 October 2024
Travel days: 20 and 25 October 2024
| DAY 1 | DAY 2 |
Opening and Welcome (Introductions, Introduction to the Activity, House-Keeping) | Advocacy and Lobbying (Advanced Content) |
Advocacy and Lobbying (Advanced Content) | Group Work With Input From External Experts (ENSP) |
Health Governance in Europe on Tobacco Control | ENSP Conference Opening Ceremony |
Daily Reflection and Evaluation | Daily Reflection and Evaluation |
Networking Evening Event | Intercultural Evening |
Information package
Download the information package with information about the programme, accomodation, participation fee and more.
Requirements for participation
Geographical range: Preference will be given to individuals studying/living/working in countries in the EU.
Expertise: We are looking for highly motivated and proactive individuals with experience and a strong interest in public health, specifically mental health, advocacy and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Age range: Preference will be given to individuals between 24 and 34 years of age.
Availability: Applicants should be able to participate at the event fully.
Participation fee
Participation of the activity requires a payment of the participation fee, since the activity is not supported by projects. The fee includes the accommodation, food and full programme, for full and associate YHO members also reimbursement of travel expenses.
SPECIAL OFFER
Reduced participation fee* for local students from Slovenia:
Regular fee (until 10 November): 20 € *
*This fee does not include travel expenses, accommodation and meals.
Fee, including meals: 60 €
The payment can be made using the links above.
REGULAR FEE
Regular event fee includes the cost of accommodation, meals, program participation, attendance at the training and entry to all side events.
Participants are expected to cover their own travel costs. Travel costs are covered for full and associate members of YHO.
Early fee (until 27 October): 450 €
Regular fee (until 10 November): 560 €
Late fee (until 17 November): 670 €
The payment can be made using the links above.
MEMBER BENEFITS
MEMBERS DISCOUNT
FULL MEMBERS DISCOUNT: 30% off
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS DISCOUNT: 20% off
NETWORK MEMBERS DISCOUNT: 10% off
Travel costs will be reimbursed to Full and Associate members of YHO. Before the purchase of any tickets, the travel itinerary should be sent to and confirmed by the YHO team.
If the cancellation occurs no later than 5th November, the participant will receive a refund of the participation fee minus 100 euros for administrative costs. Alternatively, participation can be transferred to another individual free of charge at any time.
Travel and Accommodation Costs
Participants, who are not Full or Associate YHO members, are expected to cover their own travel costs.
Full and associate YHO members will be reimbursed for their travel costs in the 90 days after the event. Travel costs are co-funded – we can cover costs up to a specific amount depending on the distance of your residence from the venue, additional costs should be covered by participants. To calculate the reimbursement values we use Erasmus+ Distance Calculator, available on this link.
The accommodation will be organized by the YHO team and is covered by the participation fee. All additional information will be provided to the selected participants in the days before the event.
Getting there
Designated arrival and departure days are the 22nd November and 27th November respectively.
The best way to get toLjubljana is through the Ljubljana International Airport (Brnik) or one of the airports nearby (Zagreb, Venice, Trieste, Vienna, Graz). If you look for flights to these airports, we can help you with booking the airport transfer service with a discount.
Selection process and confirmation of attendance
The spots for the event are limited and participants will be accepted, based on a rolling “first come-first serve” basis and quality of application.
Selected participants will receive the confirmation by email with a Welcome Pack and other crucial information including information about the participation fee payment in a few working days after the application has been submitted. Your place at the event will be guaranteed after the booked tickets confirmation and payment of the participation fee.
Applications
Candidates should complete the online application and submit it no later than the 20th October 2024.
If you have any additional questions and/or support when filling the form please feel free to send an email to info@yho.network.
We are looking forward to receiving your applications!
