TK 'FENIX' – association for mutual aid in mental distress proudly realizes the project: "Prevention and suppression of self-stigmatization of young people and women, members of the association", creating a space where understanding, support and personal growth become the basis of every activity.

This important project is implemented through the program of small grants within the project "Creating policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina with respect for human rights and the rights of persons with disabilities", which is implemented by the Information Center for Persons with Disabilities "Lotos" Tuzla in partnership with Association of the Blind of Sarajevo Canton, uz podršku The European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Through a series of carefully designed activities, the "Fenix" Association gathered young people and women with the aim of exploring together the topics of mental health, self-acceptance and personal strength. The realization of six educational and experiential workshops gives the project a special value, which gave the participants the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the internal challenges they face through open dialogue, interactive exercises and the exchange of experiences.

The very first workshop laid a strong foundation for further work. Through an honest conversation about mental health, different mental difficulties and the impact of stigma on everyday life, the participants had the opportunity to recognize how much stigma, especially self-stigma, can limit personal development and quality of life. The focus was on public and structural stigma, but also on ways to overcome it. An inspiring lecture on recovery, as well as practical exercises on reshaping identity, opened up new ways of thinking and empowered the participants to look at themselves from a different, more positive perspective.

As part of the project, a peer support group was formed as a safe place of trust and understanding, where participants can freely share their experiences, provide support to each other, and together strengthen their sense of belonging and personal value.

Workshops such as "Self-Advocacy", "Emotional Literacy", "Self-Acceptance and Mental Health" and "Strategies for Reducing Self-Stigma" further enriched the project, offering participants concrete tools for everyday life. Through these meetings, they learned how to express their views more clearly, develop self-confidence, understand their own emotions and build better relationships with others.

The special value of all activities is reflected in the warm and supportive atmosphere that accompanied each meeting. In such an environment, the participants not only learned, but also grew, strengthened themselves and created connections that go beyond the workshops themselves.

With this project, the association "Fenix" once again confirms its commitment to the improvement of mental health and the fight against stigma, building a community where every person has the right to understanding, dignity and the opportunity for personal development.