Slonie na Balkonie Foundation: Art in the Heart

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
NGO Name: Slonie na Balkonie Foundation -  Location: Poland

THE CHALLENGE

Poland faces a severe youth mental health crisis. Ranked second to last in Europe for mental health system performance (Euro Health Consumer Index, 2018), the country struggles to meet the needs of its youngest citizens. Polish children report some of the lowest levels of mental well-being in the EU (OECD, 2021), and rates of suicidal behavior are alarmingly high. Despite this, stigma and lack of support deter many young people from seeking help, underscoring the urgent need for accessible, creative, and preventive mental health interventions

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The three-year Art Therapy program offers a comprehensive approach combining regular workshops and home support, integrating art, creativity, mindfulness, and emotional education. The program includes at least 40 hours of Art Therapy workshops per month, focusing on creative expression and emotional management. "Art in My Heart" is a key component, teaching children creative play and various methods of expressing and processing emotions. Additionally, participants receive a Creative Box, which contains art supplies and instructions for at-home creative play, allowing children to continue their emotional development outside of the workshops. This in-depth approach aims to foster emotional well-being and resilience

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

I’ve always had trouble with emotions. But thanks to the workshops, I’ve learned that fear and anger are emotions too – and they can be expressed in a safe way. All the meetings are great. We do different things – we draw, sculpt, and talk. Recently, we created special installations with Mrs. Maria, where we arranged symbols of joy, fear, and sadness. There are lots of colors, laughter, but also silence. It helps me, because I used to be afraid to talk about how I felt. And now I’m not anymore.

Mateusz – 12 years old, Participant in the Art in the Heart project