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Opening slide

The world changes when young people are well.

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Opinion barometer exercise

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Opinion barometer: Statements about mental wellbeing

Soon you will hear some statements about mental wellbeing

There is an imaginary line across the room. Consider the statement on your own for a while. Then move on the line according to your opinion: agree, disagree or something in between.

After the statement we will discuss.

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Opinion barometer

I agree

I disagree

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Statement 1

I would rather be

a shark than a worm.

Do you agree or disagree?

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Statement 2

Strengthening your mental�wellbeing is easy.

Do you agree or disagree?

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Statement 3

Mental wellbeing is influenced by hardships in everyday life, such as living in poverty or experiencing discrimination.

Do you agree or disagree?

• There are various causes for poverty and discrimination. Hardships cause inequality and various negative impacts on wellbeing.�• In Malawi, for example, approximately half of the population lives below the poverty line. In this situation it is difficult to fulfill basic needs in life (such as sufficient nourishment, clothing and education). Wealth, however, does not directly indicate whether a person is happy or unhappy.

For upper secondary level students, you can give more concrete examples, such as�

•  Poverty can be measured in absolute or relative terms.�•  Globally, the poverty line is defined as living under three dollars (USD) per day.�•  Many countries measure the percentage of people living under the national poverty line. A person is poor if their income is below 50 or 60 % of the median income of all households in the country. 

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Statement 4

I have an idea of how mental wellbeing could be promoted in my school.

Do you agree or disagree?

• You can think: What can you promote by yourself? What can the school promote (curricula, action groups, teachers, other development)?�• Question: Would someone like to share their idea? 

If someone shares a good idea and voting seems like a safe idea, you can make an additional question:��• Do you think this idea would be good? If yes, raise your thumb up!

When debriefing this and other statements, it is important to recognise that young people’s mental wellbeing can be considered from two perspectives: concerns can be heard and recognised, and on the other hand problems can be solved with impactful actions.
Interfering “only” with the concern of course does not solve problems, but it is often an important first step in terms of executive function and wellbeing.
Young people need support on different levels: dealing with difficult emotions, understanding wellbeing, and making a difference (including peer support, improving emotional skills, offering factual information, campaigns, impactful actions by individuals and the school…)

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Statement 5

Every young person

in my own circles

can get help with

mental wellbeing challenges.

Do you agree or disagree?

• This statement is quite sharp and difficult. What kind of help does each person need and how much? Do you think that everyone can really ask for help and get it?�• Perhaps you noticed that the statements showed different kinds of perspectives: some dealt with individual experiences and inequality, some with society and services, and some with school and ways of making an impact. 

More statements (if you have time):

• Mental wellbeing is discussed enough.�• I know a reliable adult who I can talk to about mental wellbeing and feelings.�• Things happening on the other side of the world cause challenges for mental wellbeing.�• Politics is the most important way to promote mental wellbeing.�• I can think of an example of how I myself have contributed to mental wellbeing (for example with my own friends and family, in my municipality or on social media) �• In my municipality, decision-makers listen to young people when making decisions about matters related to mental wellbeing.

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THANK YOU!