The pandemic has a considerable psychological impact on the general population, and on vulnerable groups in particular. Increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, consumption of alcohol and psychoactive substances could be effects of the pandemic. For young people with existing or developing mental health problems, the need for services and support programs is growing.
On June 1st 2021, the ARTY project – ‘Digital art therapy for youth with developing or existing mental health conditions‘ began. It is an Erasmus + project, Strategic Partnerships for Youth, with a duration of 2 years, financed by the European Commission through A.N.P.C.D.E.F.P., in an international partnership led by FundatiaEstuar (Romania), having as partnersAsociatia Habilitas (Romania), Anziani E Non Solo (Italy), KMOP (Greece), CARDET (Cyprus), Fundacion Intras (Spain) and Αrtit London Ltd (UK).
The aim of the ARTY project is:
– To develop the competencies of psychologists, social workers, youth workers, professionals from Romania, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Cyprus, who work with vulnerable young people who have or are developing mental health problems, in order to provide them with continuous support, using digital art therapy
– Increasing the access of NGOs, psychologists, social workers, youth workers, professionals, to a guide that connects creativity with the role of approaches through art in working with the mental well-being of young people.
– Increasing the access of interested organizations to an awareness tool about the impact that COVID-19 has on young people with existing or developing mental health problems.
The Intellectual Outputs of the project will be the following:
– Guide for civil society organizations and relevant professionals (e.g. youth workers, psychologists, social workers and practitioners) to implement online art therapy sessions for young people with psychological disorders
– Capacity Building Program for youth workers, psychologists, social workers and practitioners
– Awareness-raising tool for civil society organizations on the impact of COVID-19 on young people with developing or existing mental health problems