3 min. Diary work for a stressed schoolchild in Germany

"Lena's story is touching and shows that change is possible as soon as a safe framework is created through successful relationship building," says Jörg Knüfken from ChangeWriters eV. Lena's positive development is no longer an isolated case. But unfortunately neither is the beginning of her story: "Everyone thinks I'm strong, but I have a lot of problems at home and at school. I have to do so much at my age" (Yasin, 14 years old). (Betz et al., 2022; Funcke et al., 2020; Klemm, 2023). Children like Lena and Yasin are made to understand at school, of all places, that they are "poorly functioning". They are left behind. Anger arises or they simply turn away (Hunziker, 2015). This puts a strain on teachers, classmates and the young people themselves. This is where ChangeWriters' diary work comes in: building and shaping relationships, overcoming distance! This is made possible by the effective program "Writing stories together". The program consists of four coordinated program modules. A four-day practical seminar for teachers kicks off the development of the effect. The participants experience the diary method and directly implementable exercises that help build relationships. They develop their own personal implementation concept and incorporate the methods directly into their lessons, offer school clubs or fixed times for writing a diary. They receive professional support over a period of one and a half years. During the support phase, the students experience two action days in which commonalities and undiscovered potential become visible. On the annual holiday trip, the young people write down their stories, which are published in a diary and serve as a role model for new students.