The aim of the project is to support mental health and to increase activity and social inclusion of young people, parents and those working with families. For 30 years we have been dealing with activation, education, prevention and therapy aimed at children, young people and adults. The last few years of our work have mainly involved preventive and therapeutic activities aimed at children and adolescents as well as parents and teachers regarding so-called behavioural addictions, including e-addictions (digital media and screen devices overuse) and supporting adolescents’ mental health. Research confirms that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, these problems have increased. For example, according to research discussed in the publication ‘Education in a digital world : Education 4.0’ (Morańska D., Ciesielka M., Jędrzejko M., 2020), almost a third of students felt sadness (28.9%), loneliness (27.4%) and depression (28.4%) frequently or all the time.
As part of the project, we have set up the Awesome Academy, where we support those involved in developing competences, helping, integrating and connecting. The Academy is a space to establish relationships and emotional closeness and to spend time creatively, but also to receive psychological support. The activities carried out at the Academy are aimed at helpers (workshops, consultations), young people (workshops, OFFLINE zone) and parents (workshops, meetings for mothers and fathers). The change we aim for in our project is greater emotional and psychological well-being of young people and a deeper awareness of the value and role of the family in people’s lives as one of the important protective factors against engaging in risky behaviour.