Addiction, bullying and violence: New campaign for students starts in Amberg

Addiction, bullying and violence: New campaign for students starts in Amberg

The municipal youth work (KoJa) in Amberg-Sulzbacher Land took an important step today to support young people. The newly launched WTF campaign aims to counteract problems such as addiction, bullying, violence, loneliness and pressure at school. The KoJa receives support from the Kreisjugendring (KJR) Amberg-Sulzbach and the city of Amberg. The campaign started with a presentation at the Herzog-Christian-August-Gymnasium in Sulzbach-Rosenberg and aims to offer students help anonymously and unnoticed - an approach that is needed more than ever in our modern times.

Funny and eye-catching posters designed by a well-known designer are now being displayed at all secondary schools in the Amberg-Sulzbach area. The poster motifs include information about the help available in the area. Particularly clever: The design is in modern youth language and thus meets the young people's feeling for language. Hung on the inside of the toilet doors, the posters are the ideal place for students to find out about various topics and seek help without being disturbed.

Focus on offers of help

School media is vital when it comes to finding modern solutions to old problems. QR codes on the posters direct students to a website that provides information about advice centers and problems. This includes, among other things, the Caritas specialist outpatient clinic for addiction issues, as well as regional youth welfare offices and social services. District Administrator Richard Reisinger emphasizes the importance of this campaign, especially before the summer holidays, when many young people have more freedom and at the same time face a variety of new challenges.

The fear of seeking help in a vulnerable situation is widespread. With the goal of the same name, the WTF campaign wants to break down this barrier. The need for support is obvious, as the increasing number of cases of help offers shows. The use of online offerings is also increasing, so it was high time to consciously give these topics space.

Insights into youth work

Young people are in a crucial phase of life in which they are developing their identity and laying the foundations for their future. They not only learn how to deal with friendships and first romantic contacts, but also how to deal with consumption patterns. According to the Institute for Addiction Prevention, support during this phase is of great importance in order to promote healthy decisions and prevent addictions. Workshops and training courses for youth workers and decision-makers help to provide young people with the best possible support and advice, which also plays a role in the WTF campaign.

To ensure a long-term impact, peer programs such as “Barefoot” and “Peer Drive Clean” are active, in which trained young people pass on their knowledge to their peers. It turns out that a joint approach and direct communication in addiction prevention and the fight against bullying and violence can open many doors to give young people a good hand in their decisions.

Together we hope that the WTF campaign will reach many students and provide them with the support they need. One thing is clear: it is up to all of us to pay attention and work together to find solutions to the challenges facing our young people.

For more information and details about the campaign, visit the website Central Bavarian newspaper and that Institute for Addiction Prevention.