TALKING ABOUT IT MAKES US

STRONGER

ABOUT US

Nurturing positive mental health among citizens of all ages should be a priority for all governments, as a measure of societal well-being. However, despite the importance of positive mental health for society; reports from the WHO find that, “neuropsychiatric disorders account for 26% of the burden of disease in the EU; accounting for up to 40% of years lived with disability, with depression as the main cause.” In addition, this report estimates that up to 50% of chronic sick leave from the workplace in Europe are due to depression and anxiety. The cost of these depressive disorders and mental ill health is estimated at €170 billion per annum to the economy of the EU-27. 

Families are the bedrock of our society. Families provide safety and security for young children, care for the elderly; a springboard to launch your life and a safety net to fall back into if it doesn’t quite work out. Family learning is effective in having a significant and lasting impact on children’s learning, giving them greater confidence and self-belief (NIACE, 2016). Family learning also brings a sense of solidarity, cohesion and stimulation to adults and children who learn together. However, research tells us that in families where parents suffer with mental ill-health, children are at a higher risk of developing mental illnesses than other children. While risks can be inherited through their genes, most of this risk comes from an unpredictable and inconsistent family environment that can contribute to the mental ill-health of young people. When 20% of Europe’s population experience depression, anxiety, and poor mental health, it is consistent to estimate that mental health issues affect a significant proportion of European families. As such, the primary motivation behind the TAMUS project is to address a need to support European families to manage their mental health.

Project Video

Project Results

Comics

The TAMUS comics cater specifically for children aged 8 to 12. Consisting of a series of 12 themed comic strips, each addressing positive mental health promotion, these resources aim to engage young readers in discussions about their emotions and well-being. Accompanying each comic is an activity sheet featuring emojis representing different emotions. After reading the comic with their parents, children are encouraged to colour in the emoji that best reflects their feelings. This aims to encourage open dialogues between parents and children about mental health and emotional awareness. The comics are also complemented by a concise 3-page handbook, offering guidance for parents on how to effectively utilise these materials in the family learning environment.

Interactive Magazines:

Tailored for teenagers and young adults aged 13 to 20, the TAMUS Interactive Magazines offer a digital suite of short explainer videos, self-help resources, games, and puzzles. The set of 8 magazines addresses four essential themes, including understanding mental health, cultivating positive habits, managing online identities, and self-care for prevention and early intervention. The toolkit provides two magazines for each theme – an introductory version for teenagers aged 13 to 17 and an advanced edition for young adults aged 18 to 20. These digital resources aim to empower young learners with valuable insights and practical tools to navigate the complexities of mental health. The Interactive Magazines are also complemented by a concise 3-page handbook, offering guidance for parents on how to effectively utilize these materials in the family learning environment.

Audio-Books

The TAMUS Audiobooks for senior adult learners and grandparents, focus on various aspects of mental health. Covering topics such as;
• Understanding mental health
• Recognising signs and symptoms of mental ill-health in older adults
• Positive habits
• Protecting mental health as we age
• Overcoming loneliness
• The effects of mental ill health on emotional and physical well-being
• Diet and nutrition
• Tips for active aging
These audiobooks aim to provide a rich source of information and support for senior learners. Accompanying the audiobooks are self-help activities to further enhance the learning experience. These resources are designed to facilitate discussions and promote mental well-being among older generations, addressing the unique challenges they may face. The audiobooks are also complemented by a concise 3-page handbook, offering guidance for parents on how to effectively utilise these materials in the family learning environment.

Partners

The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Project Number: 2022-1-DE02-KA220-ADU-000085693

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