A unique program is launched for the mental and physical health of teenagers

An increasing number of studies show that today’s youth are dissatisfied with their appearance, which can negatively influence their diet and may later lead to eating disorders. Those suffering from body image issues often cannot ignore their perceived or real flaws, which over time may cause feelings of shame and deteriorating social relationships.

The BioTechUSA Group considers it a priority to help the public adopt a healthy lifestyle. “Our corporate social responsibility program aims not only at donations but also at education and initiating public dialogue on important topics that serve to improve the overall health literacy of the Hungarian population. Raising children’s awareness of health – which can only be achieved with the full involvement and active participation of teachers and parents – is essential for their long-term well-being, as the habits and lifestyle decisions they learn at this age regarding diet, rest, and exercise will define their future. We sincerely believe that the earlier children acquire the basics of a healthy lifestyle, the more likely they are to become conscious, responsible adults. This is why we launched our nearly HUF 20 million “Together for Children’s Health” program for 8th and 9th grade high school students, for which applications are still open.” – said Dr. Dániel Gergő Pintér, Head of Corporate Communications, PR & CSR at BioTechUSA.

The Together for Children’s Health program, launching this September, aims to improve students’ mental and physical well-being through experiential learning. The initiative for high school students involves numerous partners who share useful knowledge on healthy nutrition, positive body image, self-esteem, and the psychological challenges of adolescence.

The comprehensive program begins with an escape room activity organized by the Kamasztér Foundation, where sessions led by psychologists focus on positive body image, self-confidence, and common mental health issues faced by teenagers. Students will also take part in a cooking workshop organized by the Foundation for Nutrition Science, starting with interactive discussions on the basics of balanced nutrition followed by preparing healthy meals together. Afterwards, they will attend an interactive theater performance titled Lift by the Roundtable Theater, which centers on eating disorders. Finally, the Semmelweis Medical Students’ Association will organize a Health Competition to test what the students have learned throughout the multi-stage program.

Through this competition, students will also support a good cause, as the company will convert the points collected into forints and donate them to the Smiles Foundation. The foundation’s therapists work in several cities across the country with young patients struggling with eating disorders in psychiatric wards, as well as with diabetic and obese children in hospital departments, providing health education. The class with the best performance will also receive an additional HUF 1 million grant to be spent on sports equipment or sport-related investments. “We see that more and more young people are anxious today, dissatisfied with themselves, and this impacts their mental health and performance. At the same time, we know how difficult it is to capture the attention of today’s students. That is why we wanted to create a comprehensive educational program for them, where they can learn the pillars of a healthy lifestyle through engaging experiences, as this will also influence their adult lives. Thanks to our partners, we hope to provide useful advice to young people and thus lay the foundation for their journey toward a healthier lifestyle.” – said Adrienn Halász, CSR & Integrated Campaign Team Lead at BioTechUSA.

The program, with a budget of nearly HUF 20 million, is fully funded by BioTechUSA and applications are open until September 10 on the dedicated website.