Z Zurich Foundation

🌟 Join us for an important discussion on youth mental wellbeing! 🌟 🗓️ Date: April 8, 2025 📍 Location: Hybrid - Brussels Network Office & Online 🕛 Time: 12:00 - 13:40 CET Mental wellbeing has become more present on the EU policymakers’ agenda in recent years, especially when it comes to young people. According to the European Commission, nearly half of European youth aged 15-29 have unmet mental health needs. This hybrid conference will explore how the EU can foster a supportive environment for youth mental health. Key Topics: 🔸Prevention and promotion of youth mental wellbeing 🔸Successful initiatives across Europe 🔸Partnerships between public, private, and civil society sectors 🔸Reflecting youth perspectives in policies Speakers: 🔸Maria Walsh from European Parliament 🔸Claudia Marinetti from Mental Health Europe 🔸Lana Par from European Students' Union (ESU) 🔸Sarah Kline from United for Global Mental Health 🔸Gary Shaughnessy CBE from Z Zurich Foundation Don't miss out on this crucial conversation! Register now: https://lnkd.in/ec7RAN9z #YouthMentalWellbeing #MentalHealth #EU

1 in 7 adolescents globally is living with a #MentalHealth disorder. 1 in 4 children is growing up with a parent facing mental health challenges. To drive action, investment, and progress, UNICEF launched the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health in 2022. Together, we’ve supported more than 30 million children and young people across 130 countries. Launching today, our 2024 Annual Report highlights our progress. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ But we can go further to transform youth mental health. Will you join us? Find out more https://lnkd.in/eiiAkmqh #YouthMentalWellbeing #GlobalCoalitionforYouthMentalHealth #OnMyMind

Today is the International Day of Happiness! Ever wondered which employee mental wellbeing program truly makes a difference? It’s not what you might expect. Swipe through our carousel to find out the answer. #InternationalDayofHappiness #CommunityHeroes

Gamlangchai - ກຳລັງໃຈ, a community-based mental health initiative in Laos is led by a team of four young changemakers and Malie, the therapy dog.   Laos, a country of over 7 million, has only a handful of mental health professionals, putting mental health resources out of reach for nearly everyone.   Phatsaline Vongsaly (Pat), a One Young World Scholar, is passionate about accessibility to mental health support.   Pat co-founded the organization in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares, “My advocacy started from my personal struggle. I found resilience and purpose when I established a mental health advocacy group with my co-founders and dedicated youth volunteers. Witnessing the impact of our work firsthand, and the smiles of those touched by our advocacy efforts, reaffirmed my belief in the power of grassroots initiatives to effect positive change”.   Gamlangchai, which translates to ‘encouragement’ in Lao, began with a single Wellness Festival and has now grown into an organization that:   - Promotes mental health awareness - Delivers peer support systems - Advocates for youth involvement in systemic changes for mental health in Laos   Through workshops, the annual Wellness Festival, and support programs, Gamlangchai has: 📣  Introduced more than 11,000 individuals to the concept of mental health and well-being 🗣️ Trained over 130 people in peer support and psychological first aid 📖  Distributed over 550 Mental Health Matters booklets to local communities   Pat emphasizes, "The life of advocates and activists is difficult, but through our collective effort, we can overcome these challenges. We believe that everyone can be the change agent to improve the mental health and well-being of our beloved community.”   With support from the Z Zurich Foundation, Pat will earn a Mental Health First Aid Instructor certification, enabling her to integrate first aid training into wellbeing programs for workplaces and schools in Laos. We are also providing mentorship and support from skilled volunteers to scale Gamlangchai’s impact across the country. The applications for our scholarship to participate in the One Young World Summit 2025 are now open! Find more info here: https://lnkd.in/eu_WYFim

“Risks do not distinguish between social classes, or where you live. Risks are unpredictable and we need to be prepared.” Resilient communities develop the ability to prevent and counteract disaster risks, ensuring a future in which children and their families can be safe. Find out more about our Urban Climate Resilience Program in Ecuador with Plan International Ecuador and the local Zurich Insurance team. Access the full video here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ef2tM_cV

Are you creating a brighter future for vulnerable communities? Apply now for the Z Zurich Foundation Scholarship, for your chance to attend the One Young World Summit in Munich, 2025! We are looking for young leaders who are: 🩵 fostering a more equal society through education, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities. 🗣️ developing initiatives for young people focused on mental wellbeing promotion and the prevention of mental health challenges 🗺️ supporting communities adapt to the impacts of climate change and building climate resilience Does this sound like you or someone you know? Learn more and share this opportunity with your network: https://lnkd.in/eu_WYFim

🚴♀️ Cycling towards a brighter future 🚴♀️   Imagine walking 12 kilometers every day through forested areas and on unsafe paths to get to school. For many young girls in rural India, who also balance family responsibilities at home, this is a significant barrier to completing their studies.   Together with Plan_India, we established Balika Shivir Accelerated Learning Centers in remote communities of Rajasthan and Jharkhand, to provide education and literacy to adolescent girls, enabling them to close the gap to regular school, or to earn a livelihood through vocational training.   Recognizing the difficulty students faced in getting to class, together with Zurich Insurance employees, we organized a bicycle drive for girls living more than 5 kilometers away. For Barbara Jordan, our Regional Engagement Manager Asia Pacific, the reach of the campaign was beyond expectations: “The response was swift as hundreds of Zurich employees from around the world generously supported this initiative.”    Keshav Kaushik, a key contributor to this fundraiser and advocate for the program shares, "Empowering girls through education transforms families and uplifts entire communities. Through literacy, these young women become role models of hope and progress, breaking the cycle of poverty for generations.”   Plan India were able to distribute 130 bikes to girls traveling long distances, making it possible to come to class every day.   For Priyanka, who dreams of being a nurse, receiving a bicycle was a weight off her shoulders. “Now I can focus on both my studies and my responsibilities at home. After my father’s passing, my mother and I have been managing everything together. This bicycle has helped me continue my education while also supporting my family."   Every girl at the center has a story of overcoming incredible challenges to continue their studies. And their determination has inspired their parents, neighbors and local government officials to rally behind them. With a community of support and classes just a bike ride away, the future is indeed bright.   #IWD #AccelerateAction #EnablingSocialEquity

In 2024, Zurich Insurance employees passionately supported causes close to their hearts, amplifying our joint social impact around the globe.   While we will publish our 2024 Impact Report in June, you can already explore some highlights from last year here ⬇

📣 Today marks the first anniversary of the launch of Autistic and OK, a preventative mental health initiative. Over the past year, the program has reached nearly 1,000 schools across the UK, providing support to more than 17,000 autistic young people. This initiative is a collaboration with Ambitious about Autism and Zurich UK. The positive impact on autistic students nationwide highlights the outstanding efforts of the autistic youth advisors from our Ambitious Youth Network, who played a crucial role in its development. Hear from some of them below ⬇️ 🌟 The free toolkit has now been adapted for special schools and youth groups, offering essential support to even more autistic young people. If you are a youth group leader or a professional in the SEND sector, download the toolkit today. https://lnkd.in/d2dy72WH

Building climate resilience from the ground up 🌍 Climate adaptation is most effective when it prioritizes the lived experiences of local communities—ensuring that they are not only aware of climate risks but also actively engaged in solutions.   In Türkiye, one of the most hazard-exposed countries globally (according to IPCC), strengthening climate resilience is sparking critical discussions among residents, nonprofits, municipal employees, experts, and business owners. At the heart of this effort is the Climate Resilience for Communities (CRC) project in Izmir, Türkiye, which is part of our global Urban Climate Resilience Program.   Through a community-based approach, ICLEI, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Z Zurich Foundation, and Zurich Türkiye are working directly with selected neighborhoods to: ✅ Identify local climate risks ✅ Assess community capacity to cope with and recover from extreme climate events (such as flooding and extreme heat) ✅ Co-create solutions together with local communities ✅ Implement solutions that enhance resilience Resilience is built collectively: When communities, governments, and partners come together to create solutions that work for all. #UrbanClimateResilienceProgram #ClimateResilience ICLEI Europe