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Strong, Kind and Uncomfortable

"Strong, Kind & Uncomfortable" is a sponsor-funded program with talks for parents, talks and workshops for young people, and follow-up tools for teachers. The goal is independent young people who know when to ask for help.
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Parent talk: 60 min
Student talk: 60 min
Workshop for students
Follow-up after workshop
External impact measurement
"Strong, Kind & Uncomfortable" is a sponsor-funded program with talks for parents, talks and workshops for young people, and follow-up tools for teachers. The goal is independent young people who know when to ask for help.

«I solve my own problems»

Every parent and school employee wants their young people to end up as independent individuals who can handle absolutely any challenge. Is that possible?


The guides for the students in this program have experienced many tough winter nights. Arman and Fabiola use their experiences when they meet the students.

Arman managed to turn his life around. He went from being a well-known criminal to becoming a national personal finance project leader at NAV. Quite a long journey. He succeeded because he asked for help. He would never have dared to do that if he hadn’t met people who were able to build trust with him. He knows that human connection can change lives. He has felt it firsthand.

Fabiola Torp Herfjord is half Mexican. Due to limited Norwegian language skills, she was placed in a special needs school. Fabiola was torn away from her network and couldn’t build a new one. Her teenage years were marked by exclusion and stays in psychiatric wards.

Fabiola Herfjord and Arman Vestad deliver Strong, Kind and Uncomfortable across the country.

Initiators

Arman Vestad
Fabiola Torp Herfjord

Target audience

SS&U is designed for first-year upper secondary students. The themes are substance abuse prevention, exclusion, inclusion, building strong relationships, kindness and financial literacy.

  • The proportion of young people experiencing loneliness is the highest ever recorded
  • Loneliness carries an increased health risk comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day
  • The prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms has gradually increased among girls since the early 2010s
  • 30–50 percent of the adult population will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime
  • 290,000 children in Norway have parents who suffer from mental illness or alcohol abuse
  • Suicide is globally the second leading cause of death for people aged 15–29

Some schools in the program

Some of our sponsors

Terje Sletvold

SPONSOR: Orkla Sparebank

His story and his ability to convey it has moved many in the audience.

Ole K. Hovde

SPONSOR: Foraas Områdesikring

As an employee, as a colleague and as a friend, you can make a big difference in everyday life and in other people’s lives.

Morten Slupphaug

Trøndelag County Municipality

Arman has impressively made his extreme experiences relevant for our students.

Ingunn Aasen Børresen

Malvik Upper Secondary School

By sharing himself and his story, he challenges our attitudes on important topics like exclusion, substance abuse, daring to care, and the fact that every person needs to be seen.

    Do you want your school to join Strong, Kind and Uncomfortable?

    Teachers, parents and young people love the program Strong, Kind and Uncomfortable because we are concrete and inspire everyone. Download the description – tell your school and local businesses how they can help!

    Download PDF

    Book a meeting

    Would you like a no-obligation meeting about SS&U? Get in touch!