Focus on young people, mental health, families and the future of the nation – KINCS visited Tusványos
The Maria Kopp Institute for Demography and Families (KINCS) was once again represented at the 34th Bálványos Summer University and Student Camp. While visitors of all ages could try out interactive communication games at the joint tent of KINCS and the Velem Lehet Beszélgetni (You Can Talk to Me!) movement, our experts contributed to discussions on key issues in family policy, topics related to family policy issues.
"Fragile strength or invisible shield – do you have a mental armour?"
Only a generation of young people who are emotionally and mentally stable can respond to the challenges of the 21st century. However, in a world of digitalisation, addictions and instant solutions, the mental protective shield that could protect young people from soul-destroying influences is becoming increasingly fragile, according to the roundtable discussion entitled "Fragile strength or an invisible protective shield – do you have a mental armour?" organised by the Association for Hungarian Civic Cooperation and moderated by clinical psychologist Melinda Hal.
Tünde Fűrész, president of KINCS, also spoke about how, according to international data, teenagers are becoming increasingly lonely, and also in general one in six people worldwide report that they experience loneliness. The world of social media often does not alleviate but rather intensifies feelings of isolation – superficial online relationships are no substitute for real human closeness, she added. However, the power of offline communities has made a comeback with the ban on mobile phones in schools this school year, which has encouraged children to start talking to each other again, playing and forming real communities during breaks, emphasised Tünde Fűrész.
Identity coach Éva Eberlein said that prevention is key. Young people should not be raised in a bubble, but given goals so that they can cope with life's challenges, she stressed.
László Horváth, government commissioner for combating drug trafficking, pointed out that parents spend an average of only seven minutes a day talking to their children, which is alarmingly little and has long-term consequences. Meanwhile, influencers are constantly impacting our children online, the government commissioner remarked László Horváth also said that designer drugs are life-threatening because "even the people who make them don't know what's in them. The ability to say no is also important when it comes to drug use!
According to Marianna Várfalvi, president of the Hungarian Association of Health Visitors, striking a balance is key – the family is the strongest support system, which requires physical, emotional and mental presence.
Melinda Hal, a clinical psychologist, added that one in four young people struggle with mental health issues. The phenomenon of "digital autism" is real – in many cases, parents are in denial while their children need help, she emphasised.
"Weak or strong in other ways? Focus on young people’s mental health"
What does it mean to be young today in the Carpathian Basin and in Hungary? What burdens do today's generations carry, and how can we help them to be mentally strong and stable? Participants sought answers to these questions at a roundtable discussion entitled "Weak or strong in other ways?", which also addressed the mental state of young Hungarians living abroad, based on research data.
Tünde Fűrész, president of KINCS, pointed out that the mental health of young people has deteriorated since the pandemic, with more and more of them feeling lonely, but also more and more consciously working to improve their mental health. Real communities have a big role to play in this, she added.
Levente Székely, director of the MCC Youth Research Institute, emphasised that although COVID-19 had less of a physical impact on young people, it had left a serious mark on their mental health. It is important to note that young ethnic Hungarians living abroad participate in community and sports activities at a higher rate than their peers in Hungary, which helps them maintain their mental health. The participants also noted that young people are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for help with mental health issues.
MEP Viktória Ferenc pointed out that the future of youth policy depends on honest dialogue and practical, direct support.
The discussion was moderated by András Székely, senior research fellow at KINCS.
"The future of our families and our nation"
How can the family become an even stronger force for national cohesion in a rapidly changing world? This was the topic of a roundtable discussion organised by the Batthyány Society of Professors and moderated by Prof. Csaba Attila Szabó, vice-president of the organisation.
Tünde Fűrész, president of KINCS, emphasised: "Every child is a treasure, no matter where in the world they are born." Family support cannot be measured solely in terms of birth rates – emotional and financial security and the strengthening of communities are just as important. Without the family support measures of recent years, 212,000 fewer children would have been born in Hungary, Tünde Fűrész pointed out.
Zsófia Koncz, State Secretary for Families at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, emphasised that supporting families became a national priority after 2010. The Baby expecting subsidy has already been applied for by 270,000 people, and the Home Start Programme will be helping young people buy their first home from September. The state secretary also pointed out that Europe's largest family support programme, affecting a total of one million families, was launched on 1 July.
Zsófia Horváth, assistant professor at Sapientia EMTE, emphasised that the family provides emotional security and can therefore be an important anchor for young people – family support strengthens this stability.
András Székely, senior research fellow at KINCS, said that 60,000 Hungarians living abroad had applied for maternity support, mostly in Transylvania. He also stressed the importance of recognising women’s unpaid work in society. Mental health protection in families – What do we know and experience in families today? What do families need?
The Hungarian Association of Health Visitors, the Csíki Mothers' Association and the Confederation of Family Organisations in the Carpathian Basin co-organised a roundtable discussion in their joint tent on the topic of protecting mental health in the family - What do we know and experience in families today? What do families need?. The roundtable discussion was moderated by Marianna Várfalvi, president of the Hungarian Association of Health Visitors.
The participants András Székely, senior research fellow at the Maria Kopp Institute for Demography and Families , Melinda Hal, clinical psychologist, Éva Eberlein, identity coach and expert at the Aquinói Szent Tamás Academy, and Zsuzsanna Márton, president of the Confederation of Family Organisations, spoke about their experiences and the latest research findings.
They discussed the power of Hungarian identity, the importance of sibling relationships, and the role of parents and schools. András Székely emphasised the importance of teaching children independence and developing their decision-making skills.
