Prevention
Prevention ?
“To prevent” literally means “to keep something from happening.” In the past, that something, especially when it comes to mental health literacy, was oriented towards preventing disorders. Today, especially in youth work, we know that there are different conditions that we can influence and stop/neutralize at the level at which they do the least harm to youth. As youth workers, we will focus on prevention of accumulation of negative conditions within youth we work with, and this can be done in the following way:
Primary, secondery & Tertiary prevention
Primary prevention: Stopping mental health problems before they start
Key roles of youth workers in primary prevention:
Designing and delivering non-formal learning sessions that explore emotional literacy, empathy, and self-care.<br />
Running interactive workshops where young people explore emotions through creative activities like storytelling, music, or role-playing helps build emotional literacy and self-awareness.
A youth worker facilitates a drama-based session where participants act out different emotional scenarios and discuss how they would respond in real life. This helps them recognize their own emotional triggers and develop empathy for others.
Facilitating activities that develop life skills—such as problem-solving, conflict resolution, and stress management—that help prevent future mental health challenges.<br />
Facilitating group activities like problem-solving challenges, debriefing circles, or stress-management workshops to equip young people with practical life skills for resilience and well-being. A youth worker organizes a weekend retreat where participants go through team challenges that require communication and problem-solving under pressure. Afterward, they reflect on how these skills apply to real-life conflicts and stressors.
Organizing anti-stigma campaigns, mental health days, or community events that foster open dialogue.
Setting up dedicated “chill zones” in youth centers where participants can take a break, express themselves freely, and build trust in a supportive environment. A youth worker transforms a small room into a calming space with cozy seating, sensory objects, and mindfulness activities, allowing young people to unwind and talk openly when they feel overwhelmed.
Creating safe spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and respected, which can increase their sense of belonging.<br />
Collaborating with schools and families to introduce peer mentorship programs, where young people learn to support one another through shared experiences and positive coping strategies. A youth worker helps train high school students to become peer mentors, teaching them active listening and support techniques so they can help younger students navigate stress, bullying, and personal challenges.
In a Mental Health Crisis?
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Primary prevention is about building the foundations of good mental health across the entire youth population—before any signs of mental distress appear. It focuses on proactive measures to prevent mental health issues from developing and promoting resilience, emotional well-being, and self-awareness among young people.
Why it matters for youth workers:
Youth workers are often on the front lines of young people’s lives, especially outside formal education settings. Their ability to create safe, inclusive, and engaging environments can normalize conversations around emotions and well-being, helping young people understand mental health as part of everyday life.
One of the most relevant areas for primary prevention today is the way young people engage with digital technologies. While screens, smartphones, and social media offer connection and creativity, excessive or unregulated use can lead to emotional fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep, and disconnection from real-life relationships. Youth workers can support digital well-being by integrating activities that explore screen-time awareness, digital detox practices, and boundary setting. This helps prevent digital overuse from becoming a deeper mental health issue.
Secondary prevention targets young people who are at an elevated risk of developing mental health issues due to biological, psychological, or social factors. This includes youth from marginalized groups, those facing systemic discrimination, or those with adverse childhood experiences.
Why it matters for youth workers:
Youth workers often work with vulnerable populations and are in a unique position to identify risk factors early, offer support, and refer to mental health services when needed. Their non-judgmental presence and consistent engagement can be a lifeline for those at risk.
Secondary prevention: Supporting those at higher risk of experiencing mental health problems
Key roles of youth workers in primary prevention:
Recognizing signs of distress and problems and being trained in early identification of mental health challenges.<br />
A youth worker notices a normally outgoing participant becoming withdrawn and irritable. Instead of dismissing it as a “bad mood,” they gently check in, creating a safe space for the young person to open up about their struggles with anxiety.
Providing targeted support to high-risk youth such as LGBTQIA+ individuals, young refugees, care-experienced youth, or those with chronic illness or trauma histories.<br />
A youth center sets up a weekly LGBTQIA+ support group where participants can openly discuss their experiences with identity, discrimination, and mental well-being, fostering a sense of belonging and peer encouragement.
Facilitating peer support groups or trauma-informed activities where youth can express themselves and connect with others who share similar experiences.
A teenager facing cyberbullying confides in a youth worker at their local center. The youth worker listens without judgment, helps them explore coping strategies, and connects them with additional professional support if needed.
Acting as trusted adults young people can turn to when they face bullying, discrimination, or family difficulties.
A teenager facing cyberbullying confides in a youth worker at their local center. The youth worker listens without judgment, helps them explore coping strategies, and connects them with additional professional support if needed.
Offering culturally sensitive, gender-inclusive, and stigma-free programming that validates each young person’s identity and lived experience.<br />
A youth worker organizes a workshop on mental health that includes diverse speakers and case studies, ensuring that young people from different cultural backgrounds see their experiences reflected in the discussion.
Tertiary prevention: Helping people living with mental health problems to stay well
Key roles of youth workers in primary prevention:
Supporting youth in developing personalized well-being plans or recovery strategies.<br />
A youth worker helps a young person recovering from depression create a personalized well-being plan, identifying coping strategies, support networks, and small daily goals to rebuild routine and confidence.
Delivering inclusive programs that ensure young people with mental health difficulties are not left out or further isolated.<br />
A youth center adapts its programs to be more inclusive by offering flexible participation options, ensuring that young people with anxiety or other mental health challenges can engage at their own pace without feeling pressured.
Promoting participation in community life through volunteering, creative projects, or skill-building activities that restore confidence and agency.<br />
A youth worker connects a young person struggling with social isolation to a local volunteering project, helping them rebuild confidence, develop new skills, and feel a renewed sense of purpose in their community.
Encouraging help-seeking behavior and reducing internalized stigma by modeling acceptance and understanding.<br />
Youth worker openly discusses their own experiences with therapy and self-care, showing young people that seeking help is normal and reducing the shame often associated with mental health challenges.
Collaborating with mental health professionals, families, and educators to ensure holistic and sustained support for each young person.<br />
Youth worker collaborates with a young person’s school, family, and therapist to ensure consistent support, helping them navigate their education while managing their mental health needs effectively.
Tertiary prevention supports young people who are already living with mental health challenges. The goal is to enhance their quality of life, reduce symptoms, and prevent relapse by building long-term coping strategies and social inclusion.
Why it matters for youth workers:
Youth workers can play a transformative role in the lives of youth navigating mental ill-health. Through consistent engagement, empowerment-focused activities, and partnership with mental health professionals, they help young people manage their condition.
OUR Chepters
Checkout other two chapters in “Recognition”
2.1 Risk factors and causes
Of the:
mental distress
mental problem
mental disorder