New Educational Program Aims to Strengthen Young People’s Mental Health

Students at several youth education institutions in Copenhagen are currently being offered the opportunity to participate in a new educational program called Viden om Væren (“Knowledge of Being”). The aim of the program is to create space for shared reflection and provide young people with practical tools to enhance their well-being.

“How can we get better at recognizing and understanding our body’s signals? And when and why do we sometimes choose to do things that don’t quite match what our body is actually calling for? That’s what you will now explore and discuss together. Also try to find good examples of when you succeed in listening to what your body needs — and when, for example, stimulants become the easier choice, but perhaps not the best one.” This is one of the questions posed in the program, which stands apart from traditional subjects like Social Studies or Biology.

The initiative was launched as part of the City of Copenhagen’s 2024 budget agreement, where 2.4 million DKK was allocated for a two-year pilot project. Sisse Marie Welling (SF), Mayor of Health and Care, emphasizes that the program is meant to supplement previous efforts to improve youth well-being.

“This new subject focuses on something different — namely, helping young people handle temporary challenges they are likely to encounter. When we equip them to better understand and manage their own and others’ emotions, we prepare them for the periods in life that everyone experiences from time to time,” she says.

The topics covered include thoughts, emotions, identity, boundaries, and the connection between body and mind. The program blends theoretical concepts with collaborative exercises and gives students practical tools to carry forward in their lives.

The organization AVi is responsible for developing and implementing the program. Malthe Beck, founder and psychologist at AVi, highlights the importance of giving young people the space to explore what it means to be human.

“What’s most difficult in life can always be transformed into growth, depth, and meaning — but that requires solid building blocks, useful insights, and space to explore, listen, and share. That’s what we’re working on in the Viden om Væren program,” says Beck.

In addition to the classroom sessions, students are given access to digital tools to support individual reflection and learning. Meanwhile, teachers and student counselors receive training to follow up and incorporate the methods into ongoing teaching and guidance.

After initial implementation at SOSU-H and Christianshavns Gymnasium in September, the program is now being rolled out to classes at Ungdomsskolen Hovmestervej, the School for Dental Assistants and Hygienists, and NEXT Sukkertoppen. During the pilot period, a total of 50 classes from 10–12 youth education institutions in Copenhagen are expected to take part.