LPP Foundation as Co-organiser of the First Gdańsk
Mental Health Month

The first-ever Gdańsk Mental Health Month attracted over 11,000 participants, with 63 events and 35 partner organisations. The initiative, launched by the Gdańsk City Hall, was co-created by the LPP Foundation in partnership with the “Therapy Is NOT a Shame” Foundation and numerous non-governmental organisations.

Between 10 September and 10 October, Gdańsk hosted a series of open discussions on emotions, relationships and mental health prevention. The aim of the initiative was to raise public awareness on the importance of mental health and to promote activities supporting psychological well-being. Throughout the month, 63 events – held both on-site and online – were organised by the 35 partner organisations. Nearly 11,000 people took part, while dedicated podcasts and webinars reached another 30,000+.

– We’ve just completed a month full of conversations, meetings and inspiring initiatives that have shown how much we all need mutual support today. Mental health prevention has long been a cornerstone of the LPP Foundation’s activities, which is why we were proud to co-create this initiative with the City of Gdańsk and local organisations. I believe that each of these 63 activities was a meaningful step towards greater openness in talking about emotions – especially among young people. It’s precisely for them that we create spaces where they can grow, discover their passions and build mental resilience in a safe and supportive environment – says Patrycja Zbytniewska, President of the LPP Foundation.

The LPP Foundation carried out a series of initiatives addressed to children, young people, parents and those who support young people in their everyday challenges.

One of the key events was “You know you can always call me? – Łukasz Bogusławski together with the LPP Foundation and the Youth Helpline,” which gathered more than 200 participants at Gdańsk’s Plenum venue. Young people could participate in expert discussions, creative workshops and one-to-one sessions with psychologists. The event promoted the importance of openness and seeking help in difficult moments, while also highlighting the work of the Youth Helpline – a project run by the ITAKA Foundation, initiated by the Reserved brand and financially supported by the LPP Foundation.

The webinar “Where the parent ends and the child begins: How to support rather than control a young person”, organised in cooperation with the ITAKA Foundation, attracted great interest. Nearly 170 participants joined the session to learn how to build a healthy relationship with their child and support their independence.

Another highlight was YOUTH Stop – Przystanek MŁODZIEŻ, an event for young people from Gdańsk that gathered about 400 students for a day of workshops and talks. Run by local foundations and associations, the sessions focused on emotions, relationships, self-esteem and building mental resilience. The event concluded with a presentation of the participants’ joint work – a vivid display of their creativity, energy and commitment.

Representatives of the LPP Foundation also took part in the conferences and debates held as part of Gdańsk Mental Health Month, including the “Healthy Helping” conference organised by the University Clinical Centre, the “Better Future” Forum hosted by the Marshal’s Office of the Pomorskie Voivodeship and the “Mental Hygiene in Difficult Times” debate organised by the “Therapy Is Not a Shame” Foundation.

The diverse programme of Gdańsk Mental Health Month was tailored to the needs of various audiences – from children and adolescents to teachers, parents and professionals. The broad partnership behind the initiative proved that caring for mental health is a shared responsibility of local authorities, NGOs, community groups, businesses and the media.

– Protecting mental health is one of today’s key challenges and an important priority in Gdańsk’s Development Strategy. Our aim is to make Gdańsk a city where everyone – regardless of age – can access help, support and understanding. That’s why we’re building a broad network of cross-sector cooperation, bringing together local government, NGOs, public institutions and businesses. Only through collective action can we respond to the needs of our residents and foster a culture of openness and care for mental well-being – adds Katarzyna Ziemann, Director of the Department of Social Development at the Gdańsk City Hall.

The LPP Foundation has long been committed to initiatives that promote mental well-being among young people. One of its flagship projects is the Youth Helpline, operated by the ITAKA Foundation, where LPP Foundation acts as the main financial partner. Another key programme is “Blue Sneakers”, run by the FOSA Foundation. It is a network of youth clubs located in shopping centres, providing safe spaces for teenagers aged 14-18 to spend time, pursue their interests and access psychological support.

– We believe that supporting young people in developing mental resilience, self-confidence and social connections is an investment in their future – both personally and professionally. That’s why, as a Foundation, we engage in educational, preventive and therapeutic projects that address the real needs of the younger generation – says Patrycja Zbytniewska.

Founded by LPP, a Polish fashion company and owner of the Reserved, Cropp, House, Mohito and Sinsay brands, the LPP Foundation has been active since 2017, implementing projects in education, social development and support for those in need, with a special focus on promoting mental health among children and adolescents.

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LPP is a Polish, family-owned company, and one of the fastest growing in the fashion industry in the Central European region. For 30 years now, it has been successfully designing and selling its collections and accessories, both at home and abroad. LPP manages 5 fashion brands: Reserved, Cropp, House, Mohito and Sinsay, with their product ranges now available for sale in stores and online in 44 markets worldwide. The company has nearly 3,200 stores, with a total area of more than 2.6 million m2, distributing products to 3 continents every year. LPP also has a vital role in creating jobs for more than 54,000 people in offices and retail structures in Poland, and elsewhere in Europe, Asia and Africa. The company is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange under the WIG20 index and belongs to the prestigious MSCI Poland Index.