On October 9, 2024, in Limassol, Cyprus, the “Artful Healing: Exploring Art Therapy for Youth Coping with Mental Health Issues” project officially launched, bringing together young participants from several European countries. This innovative youth exchange, hosted by the Jamaal Elmi Foundation, aims to empower young people to cope with anxiety and panic attacks through the creative power of art.
The project’s main focus is to raise awareness about mental health, especially anxiety that can lead to panic attacks, and to provide youth with artistic tools to manage and express their emotions. Participants will engage in a series of hands-on workshops, combining creativity and therapeutic approaches to explore how visual arts can help address mental health challenges.
Over the next 10 days, participants from Cyprus, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Italy, and Poland will not only learn about mental health but also share their cultural experiences and personal stories. The program is designed to foster cultural diversity, collaboration, and emotional well-being through the following key activities:
•Cultural Diversity Workshops
•Art Therapy Sessions Focused on Managing Panic Attacks
•Team-building Exercises
•Video Creation and Erasmus+ Discussions
This initiative also encourages young participants to take what they learn back to their communities, helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and promoting the use of art as a means of emotional expression and healing.