Mental health of children and youth in Kalesija has long been a taboo topic, and issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression often remain unrecognized and neglected, leading to an increase in various forms of violence, behavioral problems, and, unfortunately, more frequent cases of suicide.
This is precisely why the Youth Association “TRIK” launched the initiative “Stigma Stop: Mentally OK” within the project “Connecting the Dots 2.0 – Improving Children’s Participation in Decision-Making to Advance Child Rights and Democracy in BiH”, with the aim of empowering children and youth, raising awareness about the importance of mental health, and initiating dialogue within the community.
Over the past months, three educational workshops on mental health were held, bringing together 50 participants – primary and secondary school students. The workshops provided participants with knowledge and tools to recognize and express emotions, manage stress, and seek support. Through activities focused on identifying and expressing emotions, many participants verbalized feelings for the first time that they had previously suppressed. Several participants stated that before the workshops, they did not know whom to turn to when feeling bad, and that through discussion they realized how important it is to seek support from trusted adults or professionals.
Some of the participants’ comments include:
“It’s great that someone is finally talking to us about this. We’re not used to anyone asking how we feel.”
“Now I know it’s okay to say I’m sad; I don’t always have to pretend I’m fine.”
“I didn’t know it was okay to say you need help. I always thought I had to handle everything on my own.”
“It was nice to see that others have similar problems as I do. Somehow I felt less alone.”
In parallel, 10 free psychosocial support sessions were organized for 15 young people aged 17 to 25, led by psychotherapy professionals, creating a safe space for open conversation. The goal of this process was to provide psychological and emotional support through structured group work, enabling participants to develop emotional literacy, strengthen their sense of belonging, and adopt healthier coping strategies for stress, anxiety, and everyday challenges.
A special focus of the initiative is on advocacy activities for opening a Youth Mental Health Center in Kalesija. Four meetings were held with representatives of local authorities, the social work center, and civil society organizations. Although institutional barriers remain a challenge, the community has shown readiness to seek alternative solutions.
Alongside workshops and psychotherapy sessions, a social media campaign was implemented, including the release of five promotional videos featuring participants and community members speaking about the importance of mental health. The campaign aims to break stigma and encourage open conversations.
Why is this important?
Young people clearly expressed that this type of support is perceived as unique and urgently needed. Their feedback confirms that the workshops and sessions contributed to strengthening self-confidence, reducing feelings of isolation, and building mutual trust
The initiative “Stigma Stop: Mentally OK” is implemented within the project “Connecting the Dots 2.0 – Advancing Child Participation in Decision Making for Enhanced Child Rights and Democracy in BiH”, carried out by World Vision BH Foundation and the Association “Naša djeca” Sarajevo, in cooperation with the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BiH, and with financial support from the European Union.
