Project SUSTACE (Training Schoolteachers to Sustain Students with Adverse Childhood Experiences) is being implemented as part of the Erasmus+ programme in the K210 – SCH – Small Scale Partnership in School Education call for 2023.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are pivotal moments that shape a child’s life, often leaving lasting imprints on their mental and emotional well-being. These experiences encompass a spectrum, ranging from exposure to violence and abuse to environmental factors like household instability or substance abuse. The impact of ACEs on a child’s mental health is profound, potentially leading to conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Recognizing the pressing need to address the aftermath of traumatic events in childhood, the SUSTACE project (Training Schoolteachers to Sustain Students with Adverse Childhood Experiences) strides forward with a vital mission.
Empowering Educators for Healing
The heart of the SUSTACE project beats with a dual purpose:
- E-training Courses: These courses, grounded in the latest scientific findings, will equip schoolteachers with knowledge and awareness about ACEs within the school environment. By fostering understanding, educators can create supportive atmospheres conducive to healing and growth.
- Pilot Training Courses: Targeted at primary and secondary educators, these courses will disseminate scientifically-backed insights into ACEs’ impact on learning, socialization, and relationships. By implementing innovative strategies, teachers will learn how to create secure attachments and support pupils in overcoming emotional wounds.
Building Resilience, One Relationship at a Time
The crux of the SUSTACE project lies in cultivating healthy relationships between educators and students. By applying innovative strategies and fostering secure attachments, teachers become pillars of support, helping their pupils to repair emotional scars and unleash their mental capacities.
Research underscores the pivotal role of education in mitigating the effects of ACEs. Early intervention and the application of evidence-based educational measures wield the power to elevate psychological well-being and curb the emergence of mental and emotional traumas in children and teenagers.
Towards a Brighter Future
The SUSTACE project doesn’t just aim to educate teachers; it strives to transform outcomes for students at risk of disadvantage. By enhancing educational skills, improving school system quality, and nurturing healthy relationships, the project charts a path towards a more supportive and inclusive educational landscape. Our consortium believes that the project will pave the way for healing, resilience, and brighter tomorrows for every child.
The SUSTACE project has started on 1st December 2023 and will operate over two years.