Earlier in November, EYMH Young Leaders Albiona and Su, attended a webinar hosted by European Disability Forum (EDF), to hear more about the European Disability Card that is currently being discussed and how/what any barriers may be to this happening. Below is a reflection & opnion blog from Albiona, with support from Su on this work. I am Albiona and I am 24. I attended the webinar “European Disability Card (EDC) – from proposal to reality”.  EDC is a project that strives to increase the participation and involvement of individuals with disabilities in society across the European Uni ..read more

Young Leader Lotte, from Netherlands, shares their experiences of life and mental health at this milestone age. Turning 25 is a huge milestone for me. A bigger milestone than 16, 18 or 21. Kind of weird, but not for me. In 2023 I finished my two master’s degrees, and I started working. In 2023 I found myself and I found my people. In 2023 I found my perspective and my goals. It is a good year. Getting my two master’s degrees is not just the end of my school career, but also the end of my childhood. When I was 8 years old I was diagnosed with autism. The years before the diagnosis consisted of ..read more

Meet the amazing Ella! Ella is one of our Youth Engagement Facilitators. This role entails working with and for young people, facilitating the space for young people, with lived mental health difficulties, to feel safe and comfortable to share their ideas, experiences and expertise on projects that will impact them. Ella is a freelancer, contracted with us, but has shown huge devotion and advocacy for what we do and we very much love her being part of our team. Currently working on two projects with partners (tags in picture), Ella has been involved with us for around 2 years. In that time Ell ..read more

Youth-GEMS – Young Experts Advisory Collective – one year on… Youth Engagement Facilitator, Ella Sheltawy, share’s her experience of working with and supporting the our Young Experts for the Youth GEMs project, in partnership with Maastricht and Utrecht University after its first year of inception. Hi, my name is Ella, and I’ve been a Youth Worker everywhere from schools to hospitals, systems change co-production projects to residential homes, before I came to the YOUTH GEMS Project as a Facilitator. The project sparked my interest because I am acutely aware that so much of our daily lives, bo ..read more

Last June, along with 5 other Young Leaders, Antonio, Albiona, Filipe, Annika and Alketa, Young Leader Filip, from Poland, attended the European Youth Event 2023 in Strasbourg. This is their account of this brilliant weekend. On Friday and Saturday – June 9th and 10th – as one of Euro Youth Mental Health’s Young Leaders, I attended the European Youth Event, in Strasbourg, France. After our arrival and having to join ques of many other excited young people from across Europe, I gather my first impressions of the Parliament: Huge – the five buildings were visible from far away, and what’s more ..read more

My name is Inês and I’m 22 years old. I am a young expert by lived experience and am part of the Raise Up Collective of EYMH. I attended an online course with the name of “Experience Sampling Method in Psychopathology”, through the School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs) at Maastricht University,  from the 28th of November till the 2nd of December of 2022. This course was about ESM. ESM stands for Experience Sampling Method. In my understanding, it’s an assessment done in the moment to evaluate the current emotional state of the person filling it in. The way it’s done varies a ..read more

EYMH #raiseup collective member Nikki shares an open letter to all who might be struggling this winter, coming from her personal experience. If the holidays seem long And you’re not feeling strong Remember to hold on Soon peace will be upon You You are the light You are the wonder You are magic You are everything Hey. This is a little note to you. You that’s gotten through Christmas and New Year is just around the corner. Woah. What a year it’s been eh? Full of ups and downs, twists and turns, but here you are, still standing, you’ve survived 100% of your worst days. YAAAASSSSS!! The days betw ..read more

Message from Nick (Director) THANK YOU! Without the support of these incredible volunteers, we would not be where we are today. This group of people have set the foundation for EYMH for the future of young people’s mental health across Europe by being patient and passionate allies in this movement, for that and what is about to come, I want to thank you, and many more people who may not be mentioned here, for all that you have done so far! As we embark on our first ever 3-year strategy, with our first board of Trustees, I wanted to highlight the hugely important part that many people I’ve met ..read more

Studies show that pets reduce stress, anxiety and depression; ease loneliness; encourage exercise and improve your overall health. For example, people with dogs tend to have lower blood pressure and are less likely to develop heart disease. Playing with a dog, cat, or other pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which helps calm and relax. One of the reasons for these therapeutic effects is that pets fulfil the human need for touch. Petting, hugging, or otherwise touching a loving animal can rapidly calm and soothe you when you’re stressed or anxious. The companionship of a pet can ..read more

Words are amiss in front of war and its terrible impact, including on mental health. Our hearts are with all the people affected by the war in #ukraine and we call for support, for bringing forward the voices of people with lived experience and for mental health awareness now more than ever. We see you, we hear you and we love you. If you are, or know, a young person from Ukraine or Russia and feel comfortable to share your/a story and the impact of this is having on your mental health and how you are managing your wellbeing. Please get in touch with Lysianep@eymh.org CHECK ..read more