On Thursday, 28 September 2023, Academia Institute of Technology, in collaboration with the Community of Short-Cycle Higher Education Institutions of the Republic of Slovenia, organised a business breakfast entitled Reading and Movement: A Dual Force for Mental and Physical Health. The event was attended by more than 60 students, graduates, partners and pupils from the Secondary School of Economics and Grammar School Maribor.
The event began with a warm welcome and breakfast at 10.00, followed by an opening address and a presentation of the Erasmus+ project EU-READ&ART. Aljoša Bagola delivered an inspiring lecture on happiness and mental health, followed by a professional lecture by the National Institute of Public Health on the mental health of young people.
At the round table Sport and Study, the speakers shared the experiences of institutions and student athletes on balancing study obligations.
The event was dedicated to an important topic – mental and physical health, with an emphasis on reading and movement. As a special guest, the event was enriched by Aljoša Bagola, a renowned consultant, lecturer, columnist and media commentator, who shared with us his insights and experiences on contemporary mental health.
Mental Health of Young People in Slovenia
Mental health, particularly among young people, is becoming increasingly concerning in Slovenia. Between 2008 and 2015, attendance due to mental and behavioural disorders among children and adolescents increased by 26% at primary level and by 70% at secondary level. Furthermore, an increase in the use of medicines for the treatment of mental and behavioural disorders is observed primarily among adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age, where an increase of 73% was recorded in 2015 compared to 2008.
Round Table Sport and Study
The round table Sport and Study was attended by doc. dr. Anita Goltnik Urnaut, lecturer at Academia Institute of Technology and member of the Expert Group for the Sports-Friendly Education certificate of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia, dr. Tanja Angleitner Sagadin, director of VSGT Maribor, and mag. Vida Perko, principal of Academia.
They discussed the OKS Sports-Friendly Education certification (Academia is the only short-cycle higher education institution in Slovenia to have obtained the certificate), limitations in study and the adaptation of study obligations within individual educational plans for the realisation of dual careers for athletes.
Short-cycle higher education was highlighted as an example of good practice for top athletes, as in such a study student athletes can also gain work experience in their profession, which they otherwise lack due to sporting obligations for a successful and rapid entry into the labour market.
Aljoša Bagola on Happiness
Aljoša Bagola, who has dedicated his life to researching happiness and mental health, emphasised that happiness cannot be bought and that our happiness does not depend on how successful we are in imitating the success, goals and desires of others.
"Happiness depends on our courage to acknowledge and accept our dark sides and to healthily integrate them into our wholeness," Bagola emphasised.
The event offered an exceptional opportunity for discussion, education and networking. Participants had the opportunity to share their views, learn new perspectives and gain valuable insights into the importance of soft skills, reading, movement and mental health.
You are invited to join us at future events and together explore, learn and grow in knowledge and understanding of how to be healthier and happier in this rapidly changing world.
Source: Academia (29. 9. 2023). Fotografije: arhiv Academie.
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian report and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
