Goal: An EXPERIENCE-based understanding of how they can improve their wellbeing
Equipment list for session 1:
- PC with Power Point
- Projector/TV to show Power Point
- Flipchart paper
- Flipchart stand
- Black/green/blue markers
- Pencils for the students*
- Notebooks for the students*
- Pencil sharpener*
*iPads or similar can be used if the students can bring their notes to every session
Welcome – 5 min
Trainers will say to the group: We’re excited to have you here. The ConnecTeen Program is all about supporting and strengthening the mental health of young people—and you’ve been specially chosen to take part. That’s something to be proud of!
This unique program is a collaboration between five countries and six organizations across Europe, and it’s funded by Erasmus+. Right now, students just like you in Poland, Lithuania, Spain, and the Czech Republic are also beginning their first session. You are part of something bigger—an international community working together to make a real difference.
Part 1: Design Alliance – Time: 10 min
Purpose: This collaborative process helps build ownership, sets clear expectations, and fosters a safe space where everyone can feel comfortable sharing. Instructions for Trainers: At the beginning of the session, the facilitator should inform participants that the program will focus on the mental health of young people. To create a safe and respectful environment, the facilitator should guide the group in establishing a set of basic ground rules for how they will work together during the sessions.
Steps to follow:
1. Ask the Group:
“What do you need in order to feel safe during these sessions?”
“What’s important for you to be able to take part and contribute?” Encourage participants to share their thoughts in their own words. If possible, let the group offer the first ideas to build ownership and engagement. Once a few suggestions have been shared, highlight and reinforce key values such as:
- Trust – Everyone should feel they can speak without fear of judgment.
- Respect – All voices and experiences are valid and should be treated with kindness.
Let the group know that these values will help create a space where everyone feels supported, heard, and safe to share.
2. Facilitate Rule-Making:
Encourage participants to suggest rules they believe are important. Examples you can introduce (if not mentioned by the group) include:
- When someone speaks, I listen.
- I do not judge others’ experiences or opinions.
- I do not share anyone’s personal information outside the group (e.g., if someone is experiencing a mental health challenge).
- I treat everything shared in the group with confidentiality and respect.
- I participate actively to the best of my ability.
3. Create a Group Agreement:
a) Write all suggestions on a flip chart using the participants’ own words whenever possible.
b) Add the key examples above if they are not brought up by the group.
4. Finalize and Display:
a) Once agreed upon, the final list of rules becomes the group’s Alliance/Contract.
b) Tell everyone to raise one hand that they agree to this Alliance and that they agree to Confidentiality – What is shared in the group stays in the group, especially when it comes to personal or sensitive topics.
c) Keep this visible throughout the sessions—either posted on the wall or brought on the flip chart each time.
Part 3: Exercise – Matryoshka – Time: 15 min
Purpose:
In the context of the ConnecTeen intervention program, based on the lyk-z methodology, the Matryoshka doll is used as a universal metaphor for the human experience. It is not presented as a cultural or political statement, instead the Matryoshka doll represents:
- Identity as layered and dynamic
- A resilient, whole inner core
- The ability to be taken apart and reassembled — and still remain intact
The ConnecTeen intervention program and the lyk-z methodology are peacemaking and identity development programs. Their purpose is to support individuals in understanding themselves and others more deeply, fostering empathy, self-awareness, and connection across differences.
This exercise uses the Matryoshka doll as a metaphor to show that, as human beings, we are all made up of the same “layers.” While each person may have different experiences, values, and qualities, at our core, we share a common humanity. Because the doll is widely recognized and easy to relate to, it helps make abstract concepts visible and accessible.
Participants will practice expressing a personal value and a quality, and in doing so, recognize that—despite surface differences—we are all alike on the inside.
The activity is designed to encourage community building and communication. Participants will practice expressing a personal value and a quality, and in doing so, recognize that—despite surface differences—we are all alike on the inside.
The use of global symbols — whether from Russian, Japanese, or other traditions — is intended to serve learning, not to endorse a nation or ideology. When thoughtfully framed, such metaphors can enrich understanding and build bridges rather than barriers.
Open dialogue is encouraged if questions or concerns arise during facilitation.
Introduction for the trainers – how to present Matryoshka: Begin by giving the students their new notebooks and a pencil, and tell them to make notes during the presentation. Then start introducing the Matryoshka doll verbally, using the explanation provided below. As you speak, physically open each layer of the doll, one by one, to visually demonstrate the idea of multiple layers within each person. This step-by-step unstacking of the doll helps reinforce the message: just like the Matryoshka, every person is made up of different layers—qualities, values, emotions, and experiences—all of which make us who we are.
Use this visual and symbolic act to support your explanation and engage the group both visually and emotionally.
Step by step:
- Trainer: Your identity can be said to consist of many different layers. In this training we focus on a person’s five layers.
Level 1 Environments/surroundings:
The first layer (outer) of Matryoshka – is about you and your surroundings, how you look, how you dress, who you are with, how you live your life, and what environments you are in etc. It´s the external you.
For example (use one participant in the room – use the same person through the whole demo)
- Trainer: Maria, can I use you as an example? Great!
- While Maria answers these questions, take a moment to quietly think about your own answers.
- We see here a young lady sitting on a black chair. You are wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt. You are surrounded by other participants in a room with white walls. Everyone in this room sees the same things, but we think differently about it.
Level 2 Activities:
The second layer is about your activities, what you do that you like and activities you need to do.
- Trainer: Maria, what do you like to do?
- Maria: I like Gaming.
- Trainer: Ok. So you are Maria, and you like Gaming. (You will repeat each of the previous layers after you have added a new one. POINT to each layer as you repeat).
Level 3 Qualities:
The third layer is about your qualities and abilities.
- Trainer: So, when you are gaming, what is one quality you use?
- Maria: I don’t know…or..I am strategic.
- Trainer: Great, so you are Maria and you like gaming, and in order to do this you are strategic. This is just one of your many qualities, you have many more of course.
Level 4 Values:
the fourth layer represents your values, and your values are of huge importance for your personal and professional development. Values represent what is important to you. Our values are strongly connected to our feelings. When we feel good you can be sure that you are honoring a value, and when you feel bad it is most likely because a value of you have been stepped on, or it has been overused.
- Trainer: So, Maria, why is it important to you to be strategic when you are gaming?
- Maria: Because I want to win with my team.
- Trainer: It sounds like results and collaboration is important to you. Is this correct?
- Maria: Yes.
- Trainer: For the sake of the demonstration, choose one of your values: results or collaboration?
- Maria: Results.
- Trainer: Thank you (always say thanks – you cannot thank them enough J)
- Trainer: You are Maria, you like gaming, and you do this by being strategic because results are important to you.
Level 5 Identity:
The fifth layer is your inner core. This is who you are, your emotions hide in there and will very often decide your reactions to whatever happens around you, and sometimes the reaction you have is not the one you would like to have. How to manage your reaction and make choices in a better way? Would you like to know?
Answer: When mastering and nourishing your values.
- Trainer (to the whole group this time): What separates this doll from the rest? Answer: It is whole, solid, it cannot be divided. The same with you and your inner core.
- Trainer: Maria, when you are strategic and experience great results, how do you feel?
Closure/Summary – Time: 2 min
Caring for our mental well-being means looking beyond the surface—beyond achievements or social interactions—and paying attention to the deeper layers of ourselves. This includes our emotions, needs, values, and our authentic inner self. Just like the layers of a Matryoshka doll, every part matters. True well-being comes from acknowledging and caring for the whole person—inside and out.
- Maria: Eeeeh… you will see me smiling and talking to everyone I meet.
- Trainer: Great. Thank you very much!
Trainer to the whole class: If you have done so during the demonstration, quickly draw the 5 dolls – make sure to show the different sizes. And below each doll write one word that resonates with you. Here is a repetition:
- Environment:
Your name Activity: Choose one activity you love doing Quality: What is one quality you need to use when doing your activity? - Value: WHY is it important to you to be the quality you said?
- Inner core: When you are quality and experience value how do you feel?
If time, hear or guide 1 or 2 students through the doll in plenary
