While schools and other institutions are planning phased openings soon, disruptions are likely to continue for some time to come, emphasizing the need for remote learning and expression opportunities for adolescents. Providing adolescents with such opportunities to build healthy and positive relationships with their peers, friends and family members is an important priority for adolescents’ mental health during lockdowns.
UNICEF and partners are responding to adolescents’ needs for the continuity of learning, psychosocial support and skills building during COVID-19. The Adolescent Development and Participation, Education, Child Protection and Innovation Sections of UNICEF have worked closely together with five country offices (Jordan, Lebanon, Colombia, Tajikistan, Indonesia) to provide adolescents with a resource package of activities that can be self-administered to promote their psychosocial wellbeing and learn new skills in times of stress and while staying at home. The target group of the resource package is adolescents aged 10-19 years.
The original Adolescent Kit and the adapted version are complementary. In its original form, the Adolescent Kit activities are meant to be carried out through in-person interactions between adolescents in facilitated group sessions. In contrast, the Adapted Package offers activities that can be self-administered by the adolescents themselves wherever they are. Additionally, the package offers instructions for parents/caregivers and facilitators to apply the activities at home or through platforms such as radio/WhatsApp.