The story of the Blue Mental Health Box begins with its creator, Marcelina Maciąg, and a deep awareness of the growing mental health crisis among children and young people in Poland.
Behind this initiative lies an alarming reality reflected in countless reports and statistics:
In 2023, the Polish police recorded 2,139 suicide attempts among children and teenagers, 146 of which ended in death. The average waiting time for a child psychiatrist appointment under the National Health Fund reached a staggering 238 days.
According to data from the Empowering Children Foundation, 9% of children have attempted suicide, and 22% have engaged in self-harm. The “Young Heads” report revealed that 40% of teenagers have suicidal thoughts, and the number of suicide attempts in 2022 rose by 150% compared to the previous year. On average, one child psychiatrist serves 12,400 children, and one in three students shows signs of depression.
These numbers paint a clear picture of a mental health crisis that demands immediate action — from institutions, communities, and young people themselves.
Between 2022 and 2024, Marcelina served as Chair of the Mazowieckie Youth Assembly (II term), leading a team of 51 young council members, overseeing 9 committees and 16 youth-led projects. Guided by the idea of empowering young voices, she proposed the Blue Mental Health Box project to the Marshal’s Office of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship and the Health Committee, where she was an active member. The proposal was met with overwhelming support from both the authorities and fellow youth representatives.
But the roots of this project also come from a personal experience.
“When I was 13, a classmate confided in me that she was self-harming and asked me not to tell anyone. I didn’t know what to do — I didn’t want to break her trust, but I also didn’t know how to help. I often wondered whether she hoped I’d tell someone because she couldn’t carry that burden alone. From that day, we carried it together.”
That moment planted the seed for the Blue Mental Health Box — an initiative aimed at offering help to those who feel lost, alone, or invisible.
The project’s goal is not only to provide support to young people in crisis but also to foster empathy and peer solidarity in schools.
Today, thanks to this effort:
100 schools in Mazovia have active boxes, supporting over 68,000 students.
Over 240 schools have already joined the project.
And the initiative continues to expand — beyond Mazovia, to reach all of Poland.
Special thanks to Adam Struzik, Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, for his unwavering commitment to youth mental health and for funding the first stage of the project for 100 schools.
Heartfelt gratitude to Monika Wielichowska, Deputy Marshal of the Sejm and Honorary Ambassador of the project, for her continuous advocacy, outreach to local governments, and tireless promotion of mental health awareness.
Sincere thanks to Ludwik Rakowski, Chairman of the Mazowieckie Regional Assembly, for his openness to new initiatives, support for Mazovian youth, and participation in the inaugural conference “Waves of Support: Bringing Help to Others.”
We also thank Anna Brzezińska, Member of the Board of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, for her dedication to integrating the project with the Mazowieckie Teacher Development Center (MSCDN) and contributing to the guide “A Student in Mental Crisis – A Handbook for Teachers and Educators.”
Our appreciation goes to the Department of Organizational Affairs at the Marshal’s Office for their ongoing cooperation and operational support — especially to Sara Michalska, Director and project mentor, and her team: Ligia Zięba, Kinga Szczepańska, Adrian Kuśmierz, and Joanna Uznańska.
Thank you to the Youth Assembly of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship (II term) and its Health Committee members for supporting the project’s rollout.
Deep gratitude also goes to all schools, principals, psychologists, pedagogues, and Box supervisors — your dedication and compassion turned an idea into a living, working project that is transforming lives every day.
Photo: The wonderful staff of the vocational school in Ostrołęka – Ms. Lena and Ms. Danuta.
Monika Wielichowska, Deputy Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland
Barbara Nowacka, Minister of National Education
Izabela Leszczyna, Minister of Health
Your honorary patronage, expert guidance, and time have provided this initiative with a strong foundation to carry out meaningful actions for improving the mental health of children and youth. Your professionalism and commitment have helped us reach a wide audience and implement real, lasting solutions.
We also thank the journalists, editors, and media outlets that have shared our story — your coverage helps ensure that the Blue Mental Health Box reaches the schools and students who need it most.
Together, we’ve taken an important step toward improving youth mental health and building a culture of empathy and mutual support.
Now, we look ahead to the next challenge — implementing the project in new regions across Poland. To make it happen, we need the engagement of local governments, educators, and young people nationwide.
