Global Compassion Coalition

Last week, the GCC’s Education Group joined #BeeWell for the ‘More than grades: Why children's wellbeing data matters’ event hosted by Pro Bono Economics in Westminster. With the UK ranking 70th out of 73 countries for youth wellbeing, this is a national emergency. It’s time to move beyond academic attainment and make children’s wellbeing everyone’s business. Attendees from politics, education, charities and beyond, gave their insights on the compelling case for national measurement of wellbeing data. This is vital to moving away from a narrow focus on academic attainment and turning the tide on children's mental well-being. "It was heartening to hear so many impassioned voices advocating for the measurement of young people's wellbeing at last week’s ‘More than grades: Why children's wellbeing data matters’ event in Westminster.” - Vanessa Clark (GCC Education Working Group Convenor) Some important takeaways from the event were: 💡 Wellbeing data is essential for evidence-based decision-making and understanding the impact of initiatives: at school-level, community, regional and national scales. 💡 Wellbeing is tied to learning and attendance so it's not wellbeing *vs* attainment. 💡 School leaders value wellbeing and welcome insight into young people's experiences at school but also their lives beyond the school gates. 💡A whole-system, whole-community response is needed to the data findings. 💡Young people must be listened to and trusted to lead. Visit https://lnkd.in/gMq2qhen to learn more about the campaign.

Compassion Corps 2025 is launching! 📣 Join us for Compassion and Connection—a powerful online event celebrating the launch of this year’s grant cycle for grassroots compassion leaders around the world. 🗓️ April 11 | ⏰ 10 am PT / 1 pm ET / 6 pm BST 🎙️ Featuring: Jon Kabat-Zinn – mindfulness pioneer, and Margaret Cullen, MFT, founder of Compassion Corps as well as past grantees sharing their impact This is more than a celebration—it’s a call to come together and invest in healing, justice, and the human capacity for care. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dzRdr9p8 #CompassionCorps #SocialImpact #Mindfulness #JonKabatZinn #MargaretCullen #GlobalCompassionCoalition #Leadership #Equity

🚨 New Tool to Tackle Child Mental Health Crisis 🚨 The University of Derby has developed a groundbreaking Child Self-Criticism Scale (CSCS) to help identify early signs of mental health struggles in young people. This innovative tool aims to address self-criticism—an early indicator of depression—before it escalates into more serious issues. Vanessa Clark, Chair of the Global Compassion Coalition’s Education Working Group, emphasizes that while this is a crucial step forward, we must rethink education to truly support children's well-being. Are we satisfied with academic success if it comes at the cost of mental health? Let's start the conversation on how education can nurture emotional resilience, self-care, and strong relationships. #ChildMentalHealth #Education #Compassion #Wellbeing

In the heart of Burundi, a small but dedicated group of volunteers is making a profound difference in the lives of older communities. The Bujumbura-Gishingano Connectors group recently organized a special day of compassionate action to engage with and support seniors in their community. Taking place on March 31, 2025, the event was designed to foster dialogue, provide essential support, and share wisdom with older community members who face significant challenges. The theme of the dialogue was “Be Calm and Have the Right Health,” encouraging discussion on well-being, resilience, and practical ways to manage aging with dignity. Throughout the conversations, the group uncovered pressing issues affecting the elderly, including: 1️⃣ Food insecurity 2️⃣ Lack of access to healthcare 3️⃣ Struggles with various illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, tuberculosis, asthma, and blindness. The elders expressed their concerns about the challenges they face in obtaining medical treatment and basic necessities. Many are unable to afford hospitalization or medications, leaving them vulnerable to deteriorating health conditions. In response to these needs, the Connectors group shared advice on healthy living, emphasizing the importance of reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption to maintain better overall health. However, they recognized that advice alone was not enough—tangible support was also essential. To address immediate needs, the group provided essential supplies, including rice, beans, and soap. This small act of generosity brought joy and relief to many seniors who often struggle to secure basic necessities. The event was a moving reminder of the power of compassion and the importance of community solidarity. While the support provided was meaningful, the needs of the elderly remain vast. Burundi’s older population deserves care, respect, and dignity. Through initiatives like this, communities can come together to ensure that no senior is left behind. The Bujumbura-Gishingano Connectors have set a powerful example—one of empathy, action, and hope for a more compassionate world.

Compassionate Educators: Transforming Brazil's Classrooms. 🍎📝 Meet Rodrigo Ruschel, Eduardo dos Santos, and Valentin Conde, the compassionate facilitators behind the Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT) program. This transformative initiative was delivered to 45 social activists, educators, and NGO leaders across Brazil, particularly impacting elementary school teachers from marginalised communities. The program focused on building emotional resilience and mindfulness to help educators and activists manage stress, prevent burnout, and strengthen their ability to support their communities. Key Impact:  🎓Increased self-awareness: Participants learned to recognize emotional triggers and cope more effectively.  🎓 Strengthened self-compassion: Educators embraced self-care without guilt, prioritising their well-being.  🎓 Improved relationships: Participants fostered deeper connections with students, colleagues, and communities.  🎓Expanded perspective: The training helped participants see the power of compassion in driving social change. 🌍 👉 Want to learn more about the impact of CBCT in Brazil? Visit the link: https://lnkd.in/djvzha6J #CompassionInAction #CBCT #CommunityHealing #SocialChange

#Compassion is often seen as an individual practice—something we cultivate through meditation or self-reflection. But what if our ability to sustain compassion depends not just on our personal efforts but on our relationships? In their article, "Recovering the Relational Starting Point of Compassion Training: A Foundation for Sustainable and Inclusive Care", @Paul Condon and John Makransky explore the critical role of relational support in compassion training. They highlight how modernist conceptions of meditation as a solo practice can unintentionally reinforce barriers to compassion—such as feeling alone in suffering or seeing others through a reductive lens. By integrating insights from social, developmental, and health psychology with contemplative traditions, this research offers a powerful approach to overcoming these barriers. It calls for a return to relational foundations—where compassion is nurtured through connection, secure relationships, and a sense of shared humanity. For those working in healthcare, education, or any field where compassion is essential, this perspective shifts how we think about training and sustaining care in inclusive, effective ways. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dYv2JtUg How has relational support shaped your own experiences of compassion? #Compassion #Psychology #Mindfulness #Meditation #RelationalCare

This isn't a joke - Join us this April for our exciting line-up of events! 🌏 This month, we invite you to attend three transformative events. These are opportunities to learn, connect, and take action toward a world rooted in kindness and care. Check out our events & register now: https://lnkd.in/gJr5jAAB Let's make an impact together. #globalcompassion #compassioninaction #events

Meet Barbara Davis, a Compassion Corps grantee who led a 9-week Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT) program for government employees in Decatur, Georgia. Her initiative brought together participants from various departments—justice, fire, police, sanitation, and parks & recreation—to foster genuine connection and well-being. Through self-awareness exercises and group activities, participants have reported enhanced emotional resilience, improved relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose in serving their community. Want to learn more about Barbara’s transformative work and other Compassion Corps grantees? Visit: https://lnkd.in/dKYpGtqH #CompassionCorps #CBCT #Development #Training

Adolescence: The Hidden Crisis Behind Stephen Graham's Hit Netflix Show 🚨 The teenage years are tough—but today’s youth are facing more than just growing pains. From the pressures of social media to struggles with identity and mental health, adolescents need more support than ever. We must prioritize emotional well-being, redefine masculinity, and integrate compassion into education. Every young person deserves to feel seen, heard and understood. #Compassion #MentalHealthMatters #Adolescence #RethinkingMasculinity

📢 New Research: Compassion & Mental Health A new review by James Kirby in Nature Reviews Psychology (2025) shows that compassion can reduce mental health symptoms and improve well-being across different conditions. Key Takeaways: ✅ Compassion helps protect against mental health struggles ✅ Self-compassion (and fear of it) affects well-being ✅ Compassion-based therapies can improve mental health ✅ Adding compassion to treatments can help everyone—not just those in therapy At Global Compassion Coalition, we believe compassion is more than just kindness—it’s a powerful tool for healing. 💡 You can access the full article - https://lnkd.in/d8DVJNgY Can compassion improve mental health? Let’s talk. 👇 #Compassion #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #SelfCompassion #Psychology