The fact that the topic of mental health is extremely important is also confirmed by the fact that a record 175 projects applied for the grant call. An expert committee selected ten initiatives from them, which show that mental health care does not have to be based only on experts, but also on people who are close to children every day. Teachers, classmates, coaches, librarians, parents or leisure activity leaders can be the first to recognise the warning signs and offer support when it is most effective. At the same time, they can offer support to children and young people in a timely manner, in an environment they know well and through people they trust.
"Technology is an integral part of the lives of today's children and young people. We know that they can affect their mental health both positively and negatively, and as a technology company, we see our share of responsibility. Therefore, it is important to strengthen support directly in the environment in which children grow up. The selected projects show that the most effective help often comes from people who are close to children every day. It is prevention, education and strong communities that can help catch problems before they grow into more serious problems," says Simona Dřízhalová, sustainability expert at T-Mobile.
The selected projects cover a wide variety of institutions and environments in which children and young people spend their time. At schools, they will focus on peer-to-peer support systems, educational programs for teachers or wellbeing activities. The sports football club will work with coaches and parents to create a supportive environment for young athletes. The library will offer a safe space for open conversations about emotions and mental well-being. The projects will connect schools, municipalities, social services, universities, libraries and non-profit organizations so that children and their loved ones know where they can seek help if necessary.
Supported projects:
· Teplice Grammar School: GT students help
· Boskovice Grammar School: Within reach
· Bílina Za Chlumem Primary School: You're Not Alone: Community Support Radar in Bílina
· MAS Český sever: Festival of Mental Well-Being
· MAS Brána Vysočiny: Tišnov region, which will be caught in time
· Another Mind, z. s.: Football that will support children
· University of Ostrava: Ostrava Peer Support Network: Together for Mental Well-Being
· Náruč, z. s.: Together to Adulthood
· Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno: Library for the Soul
· MAS Bobrava: Sidequest Bobrava
"What impressed us the most about the submitted projects is that they do not perceive mental health care as the task of one organization or one expert. All of them are based on the cooperation of people who are naturally close to children and can catch the first signals of psychological difficulties. It is timely support and strong local communities that can significantly contribute to ensuring that children do not have to deal with their problems only when they grow into a crisis. We will provide professional consultations to selected organizations and at the same time they will be able to choose a consultant from the ranks of Nevypusť duši according to the focus of their project," says Barbora Pšenicová, director of the Nevypusť duši organization.
One of the conditions of the grant call was that the projects take place outside the capital. Therefore, they will be established in the Ústí, South Moravian, Central Bohemian and Moravian-Silesian regions and in other regions of the Czech Republic. Beneficiaries include primary and secondary schools, a university, local action groups, non-profit organisations and a library.
"Our role in the grant process is to ensure that quality ideas can really be turned into practice. In addition to financial support, the grant also means the possibility of professional consultations with Nevypusť duši and further education on the topic of leading community projects with Nadace Via. Over the next year, the supported projects will help build an environment in which mental health care will be a natural part of the everyday lives of children and young people, and we hope that we will help selected organizations to start activities that they will continue in the years to come," adds Zdeněk Mihalco, Director of Nadace Via.