🎯 Creating Safe Spaces for Young People’s Mental Health
How do we help every child and teenager feel safe, heard, and supported – not just in classrooms, but in entire communities?
At the EMBRACE Future Children’s Forum (17-18 October, Bucharest), children, teenagers, educators, and policymakers joined forces to explore practical ways to improve youth mental health.
The message was clear: lasting change begins with safe spaces and a culture of care.
What we learned from the discussions:
• Safe Spaces → Create environments where children and teens can share emotions without fear or judgment.
• Community Care Networks → Connect schools, families, NGOs & health professionals to ensure no child is left behind.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration → Encourage teamwork between teachers, psychologists, and policymakers to address bullying, poverty, and stress holistically.
🌱 Young people’s ideas for building a “culture of care”:
• A weekly day for relaxation & team-building activities
• A Ministry of Education advisor to facilitate student-minister dialogue
• More school psychologists & counselors through school-NGO collaborations
• Peer counseling by trained students in dedicated school well-being spaces
These proposals remind us that mental health is more than the absence of illness; it’s the presence of wellbeing, empathy, and connection.
“The Forum was a magical experience, full of light and energy! It was about learning, but most of all about connection. Every moment spent here was an opportunity to grow and to share an extraordinary experience. I met many amazing, energetic people and felt part of a strong team. Communication flowed naturally, and I learned so much.
I’m so happy I was part of it! I’m leaving more inspired, braver, and deeply grateful to the organisers. It’s an event I would gladly attend again anytime!” 😊✨
– A young participant’s heartfelt message from the Forum
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