The project
The main aim of the Psytales project is to help all students deal with their stress, failures and difficulties in a more positive and proactive way by providing them and their educators with simple tools to improve their well-being and mental health at school.
To achieve this, the project is drawing on a number of resources such as LifeComp 2020, the European “Together for Health” initiative (2022), positive psychology and lifestyle medicine in education.
Context
Society’s expectations are constantly evolving. This can be a source of stress and anxiety for young students who have to keep up with this fast pace and adapt to the challenges of our times.
A study by Kovess et al (2015) in 7 European countries of 9084 children aged 6-11 showed that 17% had some type of mental, emotional or behavioural disorder, such as depression or anxiety.
Another study by the American Psychological Association revealed higher levels of stress among adolescents than among adults. European reports, such as the “Healthier Together” initiative, show equally alarming results.
Goals
Psytales aims to achieve the following objectives:
- to help all students deal with their stress, failures and difficulties in a more positive and proactive way, by providing them and their educators with simple tools to improve their well-being and mental health at school
- provide accessible material to improve the well-being of pupils in the classroom and train education professionals in the use and creation of this type of material
Target groups
The Psytales project is aimed at young pupils aged 9 to 12, as well as teaching teams and education and mediation professionals (educators, trainers, mediators).
Resources
33
adapted tales for well-being at school
1
creation course comprising 5 learning modules for educators on the creation of stories
1
a theoretical and practical guide to well-being at school
1
teaching guide on how to use the equipment
Les partenaires
Birštono gimnazija
Birštono gimnazija is a self-taught general education school that provides basic, secondary and further education programmes for local citizens from different social backgrounds. It is founded on the conviction that education should be democratic, non-discriminatory and tolerant.
Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA)
The Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA) advises and supports the chairs and directors of the governing boards of over 2,800 schools. It works with other governing bodies and negotiates on behalf of these schools with the Department for Education and Skills and other education partners.
Logopsycom
As a center for educational innovation, Logopsycom creates and uses alternative methods or tools (digital or not) to support schools, vocational training centers, educational organizations, youth and parents. The center is specialized in learning disorders in young people, especially in “dys” disorders (dyspraxia, dysphasia, dyslexia…).
The RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
The RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, located in the heart of Dublin, is an innovative and internationally leading health sciences education and research institution, with undergraduate and postgraduate schools and faculties in all areas of the health sciences. The RCSI is home to numerous healthcare institutes and research centres that are making pioneering breakthroughs in the field of human health.
The Regional Directorate for Primary and Secondary Education in Western Macedonia
The Regional Directorate for Primary and Secondary Education in Western Macedonia, Greece, is a KA1-accredited educational organisation responsible for the administrative and educational supervision of schools and teachers in four prefectures (Kozani, Grevena, Florina and Kastoria) in the north-west of the country. Its main objective is to coordinate and implement the educational policies of the Greek Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Education, and to supervise various educational programmes, including projects funded by the European Union.
