By: Lisa Lundblad – Coordinator YAM Malmö
Collaboration for YAM
In a joint effort between Region Skåne, YAM municipalities in Skåne, and Mental Health in Mind, a conference dedicated to “Youth Aware of Mental Health” (YAM) was successfully held on November 28, 2023. The event facilitated an exchange of experiences and provided method support, bringing together around a hundred individuals with roles such as YAM instructors, helpers, and coordinators from Skåne’s 15 YAM municipalities. The conference focus was to deepen the understanding of the YAM program.
YAM program insights
The day’s agenda included insights into Region Skåne’s pivotal role in implementing and scaling YAM across the region. It also offered a glimpse into the essential collaborative efforts aimed at promoting mental health and preventing suicide among youth. Through Mental Health in Mind, we in Skåne got the opportunity to connect with global YAM initiatives, reinforcing our sense of belonging to a larger, worldwide community committed to youth mental well-being.
YAM implementation and experiences
The event showcased local YAM initiatives, featuring constructive conversations and networking, as well as sharing best practices from various municipalities. Focus was placed on the strategies for YAM implementation in schools, the application of evaluation tools, and most crucially, the personal experiences of the young participants in YAM.
We express our deepest gratitude to all the YAM contributors for their valuable insights and eagerness to advance this important work, and for sharing their YAM experiences during the day’s networking dialogues.
