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Description
The aim of the project is to raise awareness of mental health in the communities of Southern Estonia and reduce aggravation of mental health problems. In cooperation with local people, we develop a shared concern and a culture of mutual support in Southern Estonia. We will bring discussions on mental health closer to the people by organizing mental health cafés with the help of volunteers at major local events. We support the leaders of local improv comedy hobby groups and help them find participants for their groups by organizing improv shows, discussions and workshops. We support the formation of a network of impro leaders and a community of enthusiasts. Through a new collaboration between Kinoteater NGO and mental health specialists, we create a joke writing training that focuses on mental health. In this way, we offer local residents the opportunity to express their mental health experiences by writing jokes and, after completing the training, to share them on stage as part of a stand-up comedy show. The project covers 4 counties in South Estonia and the target group is all residents of South Estonia. More than 1,200 people directly participate in the project''s activities, and we share information about the approach across Estonia.
Summary of project results
Mental health disorders are an increasing issue in Estonia and across Europe, affecting everyone—men and women, young and elderly, unemployed and employed individuals, as well as those in the cultural and arts sectors, entrepreneurs, and the public sector. According to the 2021 "Population Mental Health Survey" conducted in Estonia, 39% of respondents experienced mental exhaustion, and an equal percentage reported sleep problems. Additionally, 28% of participants were identified as being at high risk for depression.
While the COVID-19 crisis, lasting more than two years, and the war that began in February 2022 have brought mental health issues into the spotlight, the crisis continues to be exacerbated by a shortage of specialists, long waiting lists, and a lack of skills and confidence among individuals to openly discuss mental health challenges. Furthermore, there is a growing fatigue towards so-called "heavy topics," which often include mental health issues. To address this, the project aims to demonstrate that discussing these topics does not have to be burdensome but can instead be approached through humor and performing arts.
In Southern Estonia, people experience higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts compared to the national average, with Võrumaa ranking highest among all Estonian counties in suicide-related deaths. Given these circumstances, the project has chosen Southern Estonia as the initial region for implementing innovative, community-based mental health support initiatives.
As a project partner, the NGO Improkool recognizes that mental health remains a taboo subject in many communities across Southern Estonia, often accompanied by stigma and prejudice. This stigma may contribute to the region''s poorer well-being indicators compared to the national average. Limited access to regional mental health support remains a significant issue due to the shortage and overburdening of specialists. Additionally, low awareness levels result in individuals being less likely to seek help. The project sees a solution in empowering local community members by providing them with skills and encouraging knowledge-sharing at both local and regional levels. This approach aims to foster open discussions about mental health concerns, encourage individuals to seek help, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
How can addressing mental health issues through humor help alleviate the crisis? Laughter is universally enjoyed, and humor serves as an effective tool for discussing difficult topics by relieving tension, reducing stigma, and making messages easier to convey. Humor has been shown to decrease stress, enhance well-being, improve physical health, and help individuals cope with stressful situations. This explains the growing popularity of stand-up comedy both globally and in Estonia.
For this project, stand-up and improvisational comedy are valuable methods of communication, as performers are often perceived by audiences as bold, funny, strong, and charismatic. However, many stand-up comedians worldwide have openly shared their mental health struggles, which are often hidden from the public eye, and many individuals turn to improvisational comedy as a means of coping with their own mental health challenges. The project ensures that humor is used in a way that is both friendly and compassionate—towards oneself and others.
Mental Health Café
The project organized 69 Mental Health Café events, primarily in Southern Estonia, but also in Tallinn, Pärnu, and Kuressaare. Discussions are currently underway to expand the initiative to Paide and Põlva, while additional interest has been expressed by Võru, Narva-Jõesuu, Türi, Tõrva, Märjamaa, and Rakvere. At least 346 individuals have participated in supportive conversations at these cafés.
In addition to mental health first aid volunteers, the cafés consistently provide various mental health workbooks on topics such as anxiety, depression, mental health first aid, sleep, and cannabis-related concerns. These resources are regularly replenished, as participants frequently take materials home and show significant interest in them.
Since World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, personal experience stories—handwritten and placed in envelopes—have been introduced at café tables in Estonian, English, and Russian. These stories share insights into how individuals have coped with difficult moments. The initiative also engages café employees, whose responses and involvement vary by location. Some partners have taken active steps to support the initiative, such as Reval Café, which independently created social media clips and photos to help spread information about the cafés. Their staff warmly welcomes volunteers, and participants in mental health first aid discussions are offered a warm beverage.
Although initially planned with eight volunteers, the project successfully involved 63 volunteers in organizing and running the Mental Health Café events.
Mental Health Improv
The project organized two mental health improv performances with accompanying discussions and workshops—one in Tartu and one in Otepää. These events engaged approximately 190 attendees. To promote the Otepää event, free improv sessions were also conducted in Otepää and Pühajärve schools, reaching around 237 students.
Additionally, 15 individuals successfully completed the Mental Health Improv training program. In the fall, mentorship meetings began for these key individuals, providing a platform for participants to share their experiences in organizing improv groups and to seek guidance from mentors from Peaasi.ee and Ruutu10. A total of five mentorship sessions were held, addressing both logistical and content-related challenges.
By the end of the project, eight unique and regularly meeting improv groups had been established. Furthermore, two mental health improv elective courses were developed for high school students, initiated by trained key individuals.
A total of 139 individuals participated in mental health improv groups, with 23% attending at least twice, and some up to nine times. Feedback indicated that 87% of respondents intended to continue participating in these improv groups. Statistically significant improvements were observed in participants'' self-reported confidence in self-expression, collaboration skills, and public speaking abilities. Additionally, over 200 people attended the Mental Health and Improv Day held in Tartu on April 13, 2024.
Comedy Writing Training
The project included a five-week comedy writing training program. Initially, it was piloted with members of the Peaasi.ee team, after which the curriculum was refined and expanded. A mental health module was added to the training, requiring participants to complete an in-person mental health first aid course and online sessions on emotion regulation.
Through a competitive selection process, 24 participants from Southern Estonia with personal experiences of mental health challenges were chosen from 107 applicants. Two participants withdrew due to personal reasons, and among those who completed the program, 12 performed at 12 shows across Southern Estonia.
Prior to the official performances, two rehearsal shows were organized, allowing participants to invite friends and family for a supportive first experience on stage. In total, approximately 2,000 people attended these performances, including the rehearsal shows.
Key Results of the Project
The project successfully contributed to addressing the mental health crisis at the community level and reducing stigma around mental health issues. The Mental Health Café initiative, originally designed as a space for supportive conversations, has proven to be an effective tool in multiple ways. The experience of launching regular cafés in different regions has highlighted significant regional differences: while attendance in cities like Tartu and Tallinn is relatively easier, stigma remains a larger barrier in smaller towns. Relocating cafés to libraries in smaller communities has been a particularly effective strategy. A major achievement was the successful launch of a Mental Health Café in Kuressaare, where five participants attended the first session—a significant number for a small, close-knit community.
Feedback from the comedy writing training, "Mental Health is Like a Carrot", was overwhelmingly positive. A total of 90.9% of participants reported that the training helped them with public speaking, and all respondents stated they would recommend it to a friend. Many highlighted how the training provided both the skills and the supportive environment necessary for sharing personal experiences on stage. The group formed strong connections, continuing to support each other beyond the project''s conclusion by assisting with work, attending social gatherings, and maintaining active communication.
Recognizing the growing interest in volunteering for Mental Health Cafés, the Peaasjad team has initiated the development of a structured volunteer system. Additional funding secured for 2024 allows two dedicated staff members to work on a volunteer mentorship program. This investment has already yielded positive results, enabling expansion into new regions and the establishment of a more systematic volunteer recruitment and onboarding process.
Mental health improv has been integrated into Peaasjad training portfolio, and several improv workshops have been organized for various organizations. A social media group has been created for key individuals to facilitate knowledge sharing and peer support. Interest in mental health improv has been particularly high from schools, prompting Peaasjad to explore ways to integrate it into educational programs. As part of this effort, a set of mental health improv game cards was developed to assist with lesson planning and execution.
Plans are underway to continue collaborating with Kinoteater on comedy writing training for other vulnerable groups, inspired by the significant impact seen in this project. International connections have been established with similar initiatives, and initial discussions have taken place to explore potential future collaborations and funding opportunities.
The sustainability of the project’s activities is ensured through strong and positive partnerships. Key stakeholders, having had valuable experiences with the project, are committed to continuing their involvement. Peaasjad has significantly increased awareness of its work, particularly in smaller communities in Southern Estonia. This is demonstrated by the Mental Health Vitamin Program survey, which revealed a substantial increase in public awareness of Peaasjad—from 18% to 50% in Southern Estonia and from 51% to 66% in the Tartu area between 2021 and 2024. Additionally, 63% of respondents stated they would recommend the peaasi.ee website for mental health support, 57% would recommend its youth counseling services, and 50% would suggest it as a resource for workplace mental health support.
Public events, including the "Mental Health is Like a Carrot!" stand-up night by Peaasjad and Kinoteater, received exceptionally positive feedback. The project has been instrumental in bringing mental health discussions to rural areas, where support and open dialogue are often most needed. Direct community engagement proved far more impactful than targeted social media campaigns aimed at rural audiences.
Overall, the project empowered local communities to create and sustain mental health support initiatives, whether through participation in Mental Health Cafés, establishing mental health improv groups, or leading workshops. Several new communities were formed as a result of the project, including mental health first aid volunteers, key individuals, and comedy writing participants. All project participants completed mental health first aid training and have applied their skills both within and beyond the project. Public events encouraged open discussions about mental health, amplifying the voices of those with lived experience and reinforcing the importance of addressing mental health in all communities.