https://eycb.eu/mind/enMental HealthCopyright Udruga Better Mehttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/4a53ef3e3c3c199007dc1faec028ce01.jpghttps://eycb.eu/mind/Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:43:41 +0000Udruga Better MeUdruga Better Mebetterme.croatia@gmail.comWelcome to MIND Youth Work and Mental Health Podcast! Here we talk about all things mental health: Mindfulness, Inclusion, Non-discrimination, and Diversity. We invite youth workers from all over Europe to discuss mental health from the perspective of...false6a5c0953-8dc8-5e3d-8a5b-43a9f25500f0serialhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/permaculture-volunteering-and-mental-health-with-ati--73817923https://associazionekora.it/resources/visit-the-farm/). Permaculture is a form of agriculture that uses the soil’s own resources in order to preserve its health. In permaculture, they do not use pesticides, artificial fertilisers, or other intensive agricultural practices. On a deeper level, it offers an alternative view of life, the economy, and how humans use natural resources. We learn about the European Solidarity Corps (https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity_en), the EU programme for volunteering, through which young people can learn and contribute to local communities across Europe. ESC volunteers play an enormous role in the life of the farm, perform vital tasks for its functioning, and create a lively community. We also cover the routine and discipline that dictate the volunteers’ lives, which help some people with substance addiction, depression, and other mental health problems get back on their feet, overcome their struggles, and regain control of their lives.

Contact details of our guest: Attila Bálint, battila97@gmail.com

The podcast is a part of the Erasmus+ KA2 strategic partnership project. The official website of the project can be found here: https://eycb.eu/mind/

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The jingle of this podcast is based on "Graceful" by Yigit Atilla, released in Creative Commons under CC BY-ND license. Download the original track at https://www.jamendo.com/track/1940942/graceful]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73817923Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:17:46 +0000Udruga Better MeAti from Hungary, an experienced NGO professional, introduces us to the Italian permaculture farm run by Associazione Kora (https://associazionekora.it/resources/visit-the-farm/). Permaculture is a form of agriculture that uses the soil’s own...https://associazionekora.it/resources/visit-the-farm/). Permaculture is a form of agriculture that uses the soil’s own resources in order to preserve its health. In permaculture, they do not use pesticides, artificial fertilisers, or other intensive agricultural practices. On a deeper level, it offers an alternative view of life, the economy, and how humans use natural resources. We learn about the European Solidarity Corps (https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity_en), the EU programme for volunteering, through which young people can learn and contribute to local communities across Europe. ESC volunteers play an enormous role in the life of the farm, perform vital tasks for its functioning, and create a lively community. We also cover the routine and discipline that dictate the volunteers’ lives, which help some people with substance addiction, depression, and other mental health problems get back on their feet, overcome their struggles, and regain control of their lives.

Contact details of our guest: Attila Bálint, battila97@gmail.com

The podcast is a part of the Erasmus+ KA2 strategic partnership project. The official website of the project can be found here: https://eycb.eu/mind/

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The jingle of this podcast is based on "Graceful" by Yigit Atilla, released in Creative Commons under CC BY-ND license. Download the original track at https://www.jamendo.com/track/1940942/graceful]]>2091esc,health,mental,mentalhealth,permaculture,volunteering,work,youth,youthworkfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/youth-work-and-its-struggles-with-vincenzo--73897450Vincenzo shares how he started Associazione Attiva-Mente from the ground up, learned to develop projects, and built international partnerships through frequent travel. At the same time, he struggled to balance the demands of youth work with his personal relationships and felt increasingly overwhelmed by project deadlines, organisational responsibilities, and unequal levels of commitment.
He openly discusses experiences of manipulation and exploitation within the organisation, as well as loneliness, guilt, and the realisation that some relationships were unhealthy. Eventually, emotional exhaustion led him to step away from the organisation he had founded.
After a particularly difficult period, during which he experienced suicidal thoughts, Vincenzo sought professional support through therapy. This helped him rebuild his self-esteem, recognise unhealthy patterns, establish boundaries, and eventually regain his organisation.
He also reflects on meeting his future life partner, moving abroad, starting a new organisation together, and the challenges of balancing two NGOs, full-time employment, and private life.
Ultimately, his story is one of resilience, showing the importance of self-care, professional support, healthy relationships, and the courage to rebuild.

Trigger warning: suicide

The podcast is a part of the Erasmus+ KA2 strategic partnership project. The official website of the project can be found here: https://eycb.eu/mind/

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The jingle of this podcast is based on "Graceful" by Yigit Atilla, released in Creative Commons under CC BY-ND license. Download the original track at https://www.jamendo.com/track/1940942/graceful]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73897450Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:17:54 +0000Udruga Better MeIn this episode, we talk with Vincenzo Giannone, a youth worker and founder of Associazione Attiva-Mente in Sicily, about his journey through youth work, burnout, difficult relationships, and rebuilding his organisation and himself. Vincenzo shares...Vincenzo shares how he started Associazione Attiva-Mente from the ground up, learned to develop projects, and built international partnerships through frequent travel. At the same time, he struggled to balance the demands of youth work with his personal relationships and felt increasingly overwhelmed by project deadlines, organisational responsibilities, and unequal levels of commitment.
He openly discusses experiences of manipulation and exploitation within the organisation, as well as loneliness, guilt, and the realisation that some relationships were unhealthy. Eventually, emotional exhaustion led him to step away from the organisation he had founded.
After a particularly difficult period, during which he experienced suicidal thoughts, Vincenzo sought professional support through therapy. This helped him rebuild his self-esteem, recognise unhealthy patterns, establish boundaries, and eventually regain his organisation.
He also reflects on meeting his future life partner, moving abroad, starting a new organisation together, and the challenges of balancing two NGOs, full-time employment, and private life.
Ultimately, his story is one of resilience, showing the importance of self-care, professional support, healthy relationships, and the courage to rebuild.

Trigger warning: suicide

The podcast is a part of the Erasmus+ KA2 strategic partnership project. The official website of the project can be found here: https://eycb.eu/mind/

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The jingle of this podcast is based on "Graceful" by Yigit Atilla, released in Creative Commons under CC BY-ND license. Download the original track at https://www.jamendo.com/track/1940942/graceful]]>3919association,erasmusplus,mentalhealth,ngo,non-profit,organisation,volunteering,youth,youthworkfalse2fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/youth-workers-on-mental-health-with-apostolis-rui-and-maria--73817925 - Apostolis from Greece, Maria from Greece, and Rui from Portugal -  share their perspectives on their jobs and the challenges related to them. Youth workers play an important yet often unrecognised role in young people’s lives. The work involves a lot of pressure to please others and meet certain standards. There is also judgement from the outside, but more often from within. Youth workers need to develop professional and personal boundaries, learn how to deal with different stressors, juggle managing interpersonal relationships with creating a lasting impact, and work with limited financial resources. A common occurrence is the feeling of being overwhelmed and even experiencing burnout. We also cover the topic of the financial sustainability of project-based funding for youth work and the recognition of youth work as a profession.

The podcast is a part of the Erasmus+ KA2 strategic partnership project. The official website of the project can be found here: https://eycb.eu/mind/

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The jingle of this podcast is based on "Graceful" by Yigit Atilla, released in Creative Commons under CC BY-ND license. Download the original track at https://www.jamendo.com/track/1940942/graceful]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73817925Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:18:06 +0000Udruga Better MeIn this episode, three youth workers - Apostolis from Greece, Maria from Greece, and Rui from Portugal -  share their perspectives on their jobs and the challenges related to them. Youth workers play an important yet often unrecognised role in young... - Apostolis from Greece, Maria from Greece, and Rui from Portugal -  share their perspectives on their jobs and the challenges related to them. Youth workers play an important yet often unrecognised role in young people’s lives. The work involves a lot of pressure to please others and meet certain standards. There is also judgement from the outside, but more often from within. Youth workers need to develop professional and personal boundaries, learn how to deal with different stressors, juggle managing interpersonal relationships with creating a lasting impact, and work with limited financial resources. A common occurrence is the feeling of being overwhelmed and even experiencing burnout. We also cover the topic of the financial sustainability of project-based funding for youth work and the recognition of youth work as a profession.

The podcast is a part of the Erasmus+ KA2 strategic partnership project. The official website of the project can be found here: https://eycb.eu/mind/

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The jingle of this podcast is based on "Graceful" by Yigit Atilla, released in Creative Commons under CC BY-ND license. Download the original track at https://www.jamendo.com/track/1940942/graceful]]>2008burnout,health,mental,work,youth,youthworkfalse3full