Honestly

Mental ill health among young people is higher now than it has ever been since the Public Health Agency of Sweden started measuring it in the 1980s. Prevention and treatment measures are largely lacking. There is no counterpoint to the achievement society.

Dance, undemanding and in groups, is a health economically effective intervention that can constitute that counterpoint - and complement student health. By strengthening protective factors for health, such as physical activity and social interaction, the focus is on what is healthy, the individual's resources. Negative thoughts, agonizing, are replaced by the present experience of movement for a while. Music, dance, community, pulse and energy can break destructive patterns and provide the free zone from stress needed to access the feeling of self-confidence. The self-confidence needed to strengthen mental health. Which is needed to color life.

With each individual story I hear, I understand that we are on the right track. For every participant who has found respite, made new friends and broken the cycle of being stuck at home; for every instructor who contacts me to tell me they have the best job in the world; for every school nurse who thanks me for relieving their workload; for every aspirin that doesn't need to be taken; for every journey I get to follow - I understand that this is really working.
Honestly, I am overwhelmed by how this simple action can be such an important part of the challenge of youth health. There is a huge need for the joy of movement, freedom from demands and social belonging. Enormous. Let's keep on working.

Anna Duberg