Target group: Grades 5-8

The initiative works preventively for students’ mental health by uniting culture, education and children’s mental health. And what better than culture to highlight that? The initiative leads to reduced stigma and is adapted to the curriculum. We address issues such as norms, solidarity, integrity, humanity, self-esteem and stress. We raise the discussion in group and in an individual reflection and share tools for dealing with stress.

Artistic inspiration:

a) Movie performance Monster: A theater/circus performance of high artistic and technical quality. Circus, theatre, dance and song are mixed in a poetic expression. The show is about a child who struggles with his self-critical thoughts in his attempts to fit into all the norms. During the performance, he becomes aware of and friends with his thoughts.

b) Group discussion: Given directly in connection with the film and facilitated by the show’s creator. In the conversation, the children can bring up their reflections on the action in the film. A relaxing movement pause begins the discussion.

Creative Making: An introspective process where students explore their inner voices for the creation of awareness, compassion and empowerment.

c) Artistic experience: A playful workshop for the students with either juggling (Västra Götaland), singing technique (Stockholm) or art practice (Brazil) depending on which artist leads the activity. The aim is for the group to have the opportunity to challenge themselves with an exciting creative exercise while training themselves to listen to and pay attention to their inner critical voices.

d) Guided meditation, to go deeper into one’s inner world and experience another valuable tool for dealing with stress.

e) Scriptwriting: Finally, students practice writing their own script. They are asked to recall the last time they were triggered, the strong feelings they experienced then, and then write a dialogue between their monster thoughts and the guide, the helpful thoughts.

The school staff participates in the entire process, where they have the opportunity to follow the children on their exciting inner journey and to be able to talk to them about their feelings in a playful and creative way.

We also offer a wealth of material, such as meditations, reports, extra material for in-depth study, newsletters for parents and support material for students. This can be used in the follow-up work with the students and after we leave the school.

If the school wants further guidance with the follow-up work, we are open to coming back to the school for more workshops.