Bringing community-based mental health support activities to Southern Estonian counties

About this project

<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">The aim of the project is to raise awareness of mental health in the communities of Southern Estonia and reduce aggravation of mental health problems. In cooperation with local people, we develop a shared concern and a culture of mutual support in Southern Estonia. We will bring discussions on mental health closer to the people by organizing mental health cafés with the help of volunteers at major local events. We support the leaders of local improv comedy hobby groups and help them find participants for their groups by organizing improv shows, discussions and workshops. We support the formation of a network of impro leaders and a community of enthusiasts. Through a new collaboration between Kinoteater NGO and mental health specialists, we create a joke writing training that focuses on mental health. In this way, we offer local residents the opportunity to express their mental health experiences by writing jokes and, after completing the training, to share them on stage as part of a stand-up comedy show. The project covers 4 counties in South Estonia and the target group is all residents of South Estonia. More than 1,200 people directly participate in the project's activities, and we share information about the approach across Estonia.</span></span></p>

Project partners

• Kinoteater Project partner· Estonia
• Improkool Project partner· Estonia