Stronger into life – a recording from an evening & a new app

Strengthen the self-esteem of children and young people. It is the best prevention.

In the autumn of 2022, the health-promoting municipality of Hafnarfjörður agreed to participate in the “Stronger into Life” project and began its implementation in the municipality with a free and inspiring evening at the Bæjarbíó cinema, which bore the project's name. The evening took place at Bæjarbíó on 25th October and included testimonials and education for parents and professionals, as well as tools designed to empower and strengthen children and young people. “Stronger into Life” is a toolkit for parents and professionals, which aims to increase access to professional material that can be used anywhere, anytime, to promote and strengthen the self-esteem of our children and young people. The toolkits are adapted according to age and developmental level. At the end of 2022, the team behind the project released a new app which contains a wide range of powerful meditation exercises of varying lengths for children, young people and adults.

A recording from an inspiring evening

Preventative project for families and professionals

„Stronger into Life“ is a preventative project which aims to provide free access to material, all of which is based on a solid and evidence-based foundation of science, and is intended to assist parents and professionals in tackling the various and often challenging challenges that can arise during a child's upbringing. The project is run by the Höfðabakka psychology practice in collaboration with a large group of professionals and organisations such as Home-School – the National Parents' Association.

The platform is the web. www.sterkariutilifid.is and there you can find, among other things, various educational materials and information on topics that all carers consider at some point:

• Our feelings don't appear out of thin air.
• What difference does empathy make?
• Bench Agreement
• Cognitive distortions and reappraisal
• The inner critic
• Influencers and unfair comparison
• Should I stop using social media?
• Children and medium use

Materials that can be used at home and strengthen self-esteem

An ambitious app with exercises to train children and parents in relaxation and meditation has now been launched. The app is suitable for children and carers to slow down for a few minutes and find greater calm. This can help to better manage one's feelings when awake and also promote better sleep. Bryndís Jóna Jónsdóttir and Anna Dóra Frostadóttir of the Mindfulness Centre edited the app, and they have extensive experience in introducing such exercises to all age groups. A new toolkit on social skills is also in development. This toolkit will include projects that address topics such as forgiveness, conflict resolution, friendship, listening, drama in communication, and putting oneself in other people's shoes. Social skills are a cornerstone of a strong identity, and children and young people need guidance as any kind of conflict has a direct impact on their identity.

The project's website – Self-image – Stronger into life (sterkariutilifid.is)

The next inspiring evening for the Healthy City of Hafnarfjörður will be held at the Bæjarbíó on Wednesday, 22 March at 8 p.m., where queer issues, education and prevention will be in the spotlight. The evening will be hosted by Kristín Blöndal Ragnarsdóttir, a teacher and gender studies specialist. The programme is currently being finalised and will be announced shortly.