Mental health matters in Scouting and beyond
By Valentina Leaño, Scouts de Bolivia
I am a firm believer that, as young people, we must be activists for mental health and spread messages of support and care.
Mental health is extremely important for everyone. Many think that talking about this is crazy or even irrelevant. The reality is that having stable mental health means well-being in general. It is the foundation of our physical health, to help us manage our emotions, manage stress, and enjoy a more active and fulfilling life.
Partnership between UNICEF and Scouts of Bolivia
UNICEF and Scouts de Bolivia started a project called the Youth Network for Mental Health, which encourages young people to become the main promoters of mental health.
At 19 years old, I am the coordinator of the youth network in Bolivia, meaning I was chosen as a key person to disseminate the importance of mental health. The Youth Network is the best channel to open discussions and educate young people about first aid for good mental health.
I was also invited to participate in the wider Youth Network for Mental Health, together with 21 young people from 14 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, in Panama. From October 10th to 14th, we had talks on mental health, and dialogues on the situation of young people by UNICEF experts. I was able to complete my certification in psychological first aid with the “I support my friends” methodology.
The "I support my friends" methodology focuses on helping out the people around us, by observing, listening, and connecting to their needs. We also learned about self-care strategies, and how to manage confidentiality.
Mental health in Scouting
“Scouting must become a place where young people protect their mental health. It is the ideal space to be able to listen and be listened to, and we must promote it as such.”
During the training days, I reflected on the importance of promoting mental health in training sessions for adults in Scouting. After all, they are responsible for providing safe spaces, encouraging positive changes, and listening to young people. However, in some places, it is often a topic that we do not pay attention to.
The change back to “normal” from being behind screens has not been easy for many young people in the region. For some, educational centers have become unsafe spaces, or their homes are no longer safe spaces. Some feel they have lost control over their emotions and their environments. Some feel they lack the support of someone to help them through challenges. That is why being able to talk about mental health, being able to feel heard, being able to attend therapy, and feeling loved, could prevent many sad and even fatal situations in the short and long term.
This experience has made me committed to being a promoter and disseminator of psychological first aid and the general benefits of mental well-being. Let's start talking about mental health in Scouting, to generate safer spaces for everyone!
Read the full story in Spanish.
Download the Mental Health Toolkit
Scout Leaders can find resources for mental health education in the Mental Health Toolkit from the World Organization of the Scout Movement.