Unicef Unlockers
UNICEF Slovenija
In collaboration with UNICEF Slovenia, we created the Unicef Unlockers to raise awareness about the mental health of children and adolescents in Slovenia and to encourage open conversations about emotional struggles across society.
In October, during Mental Health Week, the Unicef Unlockers were brought to life. On Republic Square — a space representing all Slovenian citizens — UNICEF Slovenia installed 90 school lockers, each containing a real-life story about the mental health struggles of children and adolescents in Slovenia.
School lockers, often a place where children and teenagers hide things they don’t want to share, became a powerful symbol of the hidden burdens young people carry. The installation sparked conversations that extended beyond the square, reaching social media, where over 30 Slovenian influencers shared their support and encouraged their followers to normalize discussions about mental health.
As part of the project, UNICEF Slovenia also provided a free online guide for parents and adults who interact with children daily. The guide offers practical advice on how to start conversations with young people and support their mental well-being. (Available here: https://unicef.si/kakosepocutis/stiske-iz-omaric/). Additionally, in November, the first free online workshop for parents took place, titled “How to Start a Conversation and Talk to Children About Their Struggles?”, led by renowned Slovenian family psychotherapist Veronika Gosak. More workshops are planned for the coming year, including a January session on understanding and regulating children’s emotions.
Students across Slovenia symbolically opened their own school lockers in support of the project, expressing their desire for more open conversations about mental health. They also participated in UNICEF-led mental health workshops and placed informational flyers inside their lockers with contact details for professional support services available to them in times of need.
On World Children’s Day, the project reached decision-makers once again. On November 20th, two UNICEF junior ambassadors handed over a school backpack filled with 90 stories of children’s mental health struggles to the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Dr. Robert Golob, urging the government to take action. Following the handover, a meeting took place between UNICEF Slovenia representatives, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education, and the Director-General for Public Health, where they discussed potential measures to support and improve the mental well-being of children in Slovenia.
SHIFT: Sara Grmek, Luka Bajs, Andraž Grulja, Teja Rajšp, Klara Filip, Nejc Vernik, Manca Maša Sladič, Dimitar Manov
Client: Irena Stamenkovič, Maja Planinc, Tjaša Jazbinšek, Angela Ignovska, Tomaž Bergoč
Partners: Matic Zavodnik, Rok Berglez – Diskont Films
Photo: Lenart Megušar, Rok Berglez, Žan Kolman (Kabinet predsednika Vlade RS)
