Independent: how we help teenagers choose a healthy future

In partnership with the NGO ALTERA+, we held a course called «Independent» for teenagers aged 14-16 at our HUB. It was a series of informal but very important meetings where boys and girls could get a deeper understanding of the topic of addiction, get support and understand how to make healthy choices.

For the Rise team, this project is very important because we work with children and teenagers every day, we see their experiences, problems and growth. We know how important it is to give them not only information but also support. We believe that every such meeting is an opportunity to help them make a conscious choice in favour of themselves, their future and their health.

How did the course go?

The course consisted of four sessions and one art therapy day. We invited representatives of the police and a former addict who honestly and openly shared his experience and important lessons. The teenagers listened, asked questions and learned from other people’s stories, without unnecessary moralising and horror stories.

Each lesson was full of interactive activities to make it interesting and easy for children to understand complex topics. They started by getting to know each other, and then, step by step, they tackled the topic of addiction. The teenagers learned what it is, what types of addiction exist, what consequences it has and how it can change lives. To understand it better, they watched a short cartoon, discussed what they saw and shared their opinions.

In the following sessions, we talked about the legal consequences and the impact of addictions on our emotional state, and also learnt how to refuse dangerous offers. Through interactive games, we worked out how to maintain confidence in our decisions and stay away from bad habits.

Art therapy: painting our healthy future 🎨

At the final session, teenagers had the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings through art. During art therapy, everyone drew their own story: it could be moments that inspire them or what they dream of doing in the future. All the drawings were bright and unique – everyone expressed their dreams, joy and ideas about a healthy, happy life.

Why is it so important?

«Independent» is a course where teenagers felt that their opinions are important, that they can make a conscious choice and that they always have someone to rely on. Instead of boring lectures, there were sincere conversations, useful advice and discoveries on how to manage their lives. Such initiatives help young people become more confident, understand the consequences of their decisions and have internal support to make conscious choices.

We are sincerely grateful to our partners from ALTERA+ for providing this course free of charge and to all the participants who have become part of this journey.

Each lesson is another step towards a stronger, more conscious and confident young generation!

Let’s get better together with Rise! 💙💛