INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH: AN ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN KAZAKHSTAN AND CANADA

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH: AN ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN KAZAKHSTAN AND CANADA

On October 13, 2025, at the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, a lecture was given to teachers and students by Professor Dora M.Y. Tam (PhD, University of Calgary, Canada) organized by the Department of Sociology and Social Work. Professor Dora M.Y. Tam is a leading scholar in the field of digital technologies in social work and youth mental health.

The lecture generated considerable interest among undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, as well as faculty members, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and discussion of contemporary approaches to youth mental health research. During the meeting, Professor Dora Tam presented the results of her research project, "Child and Youth Mental Health: Photo Stories from Young Persons," based on the Photovoice methodology. Through this project, adolescents explore topics of mental well-being, self-esteem, and social support through photographs and personal stories, allowing for a deeper understanding of their inner experiences and social environments.

Building on these ideas, the workshop participants discussed the social impacts of using Photovoice, including increased confidence in adolescents, increased intergenerational understanding, and a reduction in the stigma associated with mental disorders. These results evoked a lively response from the audience and became the basis for a productive exchange of scientific experience.

Continuing the discussion, Professor Dora Tam emphasized the importance of further developing hybrid forms of social support based on the use of digital platforms and interactive methods. According to her, such approaches open up new opportunities for expanding youth participation and ensuring sustainable psychosocial well-being, making collaboration between universities in Kazakhstan and Canada particularly significant in today's context.

The scholarly meeting is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 3 – “Good health and well-being”, SDG 4 – “Quality education” and SDG 17 – “Partnership for sustainable development”. The event highlighted the importance of youth mental health as a social priority and demonstrated how international academic collaboration contributes to strengthening resilient communities, developing professional competencies, and spreading a culture of empathy and inclusivity.

Aryn D, Saimasaeva A.