PsyTales Project
PsyTales is a project dedicated to writing 33 tales for young people aged 9-12, inspired by Positive Psychology (the science of wellbeing that promotes flourishing beyond reducing mental illness) and Lifestyle Medicine (the science of health that prevents lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer). These tales aim not only to help pupils manage stress, anxiety, and challenges but also to help them thrive by providing psychological resources like optimism, character strengths, hope, and the ability to recognise emotions such as awe. Through engaging stories with meaningful insights and illustrations, PsyTales supports pupils and educators in enhancing school health and wellbeing. Additionally, the project includes comprehensive teacher guidance to ensure effective classroom implementation of these tales.
PsyTales brings together expertise from six organisations across five EU countries: the Royal College of Surgeons (Ireland), SCS LogoPsyCom (Belgium), Les Apprimeurs (France), the Regional Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education of Western Macedonia (Greece), the Irish Primary Principals Network (Ireland), and Birstono gimnazija (Lithuania). These organisations have extensive experience in similar EU educational projects, ensuring that PsyTales is executed with theoretical and practical excellence.
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The motivation for this project arose from increasing societal pressures that place significant stress on young learners. Studies indicate high rates of mental health issues among children and teenagers, with teenagers reporting higher stress levels than adults. The project addresses this growing mental health crisis among European youth, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, 16% of Europeans aged 12-24 faced mental health issues like anxiety and depression, and the pandemic has intensified these challenges, highlighting the urgent need for effective interventions. The primary goal of PsyTales is to equip pupils with tools to prevent and improve their health and wellbeing during the critical transition from primary to secondary school.
PsyTales aims to build pupils’ psychological resilience, help them flourish, manage stress effectively, and prepare them to navigate the challenges of secondary education. By doing so, it seeks to reduce school dropout rates and prevent anxiety and depression, laying the foundation for fulfilling lives. The project will develop materials and methodologies to inform educators about the current mental health landscape and provide tools to enhance pupils’ wellbeing and self-regulation skills. Drawing from the European Healthier Together Initiative and incorporating principles of positive psychology and lifestyle medicine, these resources will build resilience through personal, social, and learning-to-learn skills, helping pupils feel more confident, capable, responsible, and supported in their educational journey.
Special attention will be given to pupils with fewer opportunities, including those with disabilities, from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, or at risk of discrimination based on origin, gender, sexual orientation, or beliefs. PsyTales is committed to ensuring inclusive representation and accessibility in its materials, featuring adaptations for special educational needs and inclusive strategies for all pupils. Ultimately, PsyTales aims to provide pupils with tools to positively approach health, stress and challenges, supporting their health and wellbeing through innovative and inclusive educational materials and methodologies.
