In the picture, Susanna Lahtila on the left and Laura Hakanen on the right.
Students at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences Laura Hakanen ja Susanna Lahtila completed a thesis for the youth services of the city of Kankaanpää. The topic of the thesis was supporting young people's self-image and the result was the Hyvä Mä! guide. The guide includes a method of the same name for supporting young people's self-image in youth work. The thesis was published in spring 2021 and the guide is available online.
Self-image is constantly developing in a person’s life. However, it is sensitive to influences, especially at turning points in life, such as adolescence. A young person with a healthy self-image has a hopeful attitude towards themselves and their own future. The healthy development of self-image prevents exclusion and mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. In addition to the authors of the thesis, youth workers in Kankaanpää have observed challenges in the development of self-image in young people and a decline in self-esteem. To meet this need, Laura and Susanna developed the Hyvä Mä! method.
The Hyvä Mä! method is a meeting path built for individual work. The Hyvä Mä! method brings young people closer to the young people. In the method, the young person gets to meet a familiar person who does youth work at an agreed time and discuss issues concerning themselves. The method is compiled in a guide that explains the background and purpose of the method. The guide includes a framework for individual meetings and a material bank for individualizing meetings. The common thread in the method is maintaining an atmosphere of praise, a resource-centered approach, and working together with the young person from the frame of reference of their self-image.
The Good Me! method is intended to be introduced in Kankaanpää youth services no later than autumn 2021, when the current situation allows. The guide will be used in individual work at the youth farm, but also in group work. Youth workers who are looking for a job will apply the guide for their own use. We, the authors of the thesis, thank the city of Kankaanpää and the youth services for making the thesis possible.
The press release was prepared by Laura Hakanen, a sociology student at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences.
More information
Link to the thesis: Hakanen, Laura; Lahtila, Susanna (2021): Good Me! Guide: how to support the development of a young person's healthy self-image in youth work
Laura Hakanen, [email protected]
Susanna Lahtila, [email protected]