Seminar on Mental Health and Self-Care

The seminar organised by Arbeitskreis Noah (https://noah.at/) as part of our Erasmus accreditation, approved by the Austrian National Agency, with a commitment to implement 8 Mobilities of Youth Workers by 2027-2028.

The key objectives of the accreditation are:

• to develop the competencies of youth workers in designing inclusive outdoor experiences, mental health and sustainability-related activities
• establishing a sustainable network for sharing best practices among organisations working with youth “at high risk”.

The ultimate result of the accreditation is the development of an open catalogue of activities suitable for implementation with youth “at high risk”.

About the seminar:

In the wake of a decade-long decline in Mental Health among European youth exacerbated by the pandemic, this seminar aims to address critical issues. Studies show alarming increases in depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicide attempts, necessitating proactive responses in the youth work field.

Seminar Objectives:

• Enhance the knowledge of youth workers on Mental Health, Self-Care, and diverse approaches in these topics.
• Facilitate the exchange of Mental Health and Self-Care practices among youth workers.
• Initiate the development of an open catalogue of activities suitable for implementation with youth "at high risk."

Approach and Content:

Our methodology employs Non-Formal methods and principles, emphasizing participatory and learning-by-doing approaches. The program centers on participants' experiences, individual skills, and strengths, fostering a collaborative space for sharing resources and knowledge. Preliminary program of the seminar (the program is subject to change)

Profile of participants

We are looking for youth/social workers, youth leaders, educators, and persons in other relevant positions in youth work, preferably working with kids "at high risk" or/and would like to start work with them.

Participation from the beginning till the end is mandatory. Any absence without prior agreement with the organisers leads to expulsion from the programme and cancellation of the reimbursement of travel costs.

Venue and accommodation

The seminar will take place on an old farm in Strengberg, a small village 150 km away from Vienna, situated in a beautiful hilly region next to the Danube called Mostviertel. The venue “Hof Strengberg” is a farm that is usually used for youth camps, everything is at a very basic level!

You will share rooms with several people and will need to take care of accommodation in terms of cleaning up after yourself, and other indoor and outdoor tasks needed for the smooth flow of the activity.

The farm is surrounded by fields, forests, and some rivers close by, in one of the days we will hike to the Danube. In your free time upon prior request, you can get some bikes on the farm to explore the neighbourhood.

We will have an old farm only for ourselves. There is a big living room and also an attic that we can use for our sessions, there is a cosy kitchen with a chimney, several showers and toilets, several bedrooms, a nice terrace, and a BBQ place. And yes, there is WiFi, and small towels available upon prior request, but be prepared for a very rustic experience!

Feel free to browse more pictures from the venue here

Address: Arbeitskreis Noah “Hof Strengberg”, Grub 12, 3314 Strengberg, Austria. Location on Google Maps https://goo.gl/maps/pxqM4n4VAQoNEjNHA

More detailed information is in the application form.