PROJECT EQUILIBRIUM CIC

Suicide and mental health issues are on the rise amongst young people with male suicide increasing at an alarming rate. People are disconnecting from their natural evolutionary abilities to self regulate such as breathing, which is leading to dysfunctional breathing patterns and nervous system issues.

Dysfunctional breathing, such as snoring, mouth breathing, hyperventilation, shallow breathing and even habitual breath holding are now understood to be contributing to the growing numbers of young people diagnosed with ADHD and other mental and physical health disorders.

Failing to understand and identify dysfunctional breathing in childhood can lead to individuals building habits of avoidance and in many cases the inability to regulate themselves in social situations and environments in adulthood. This is thought to have direct connections to the increased chances of substance abuse and maybe patterns of addiction and other disorders.

Project Equilibrium CIC helps young people to regulate and manage their breath leading to functional breathing and the capacity to manage and respond to triggers coming from the nervous system.

For this project, Kevin O’Neill, the founder of Project Equilibrium, wants to bring the power of functional breathing to young people directly through schools and youth centres. This is about bringing information and practices to young people who may not have access to it in their private lives.

Equilibrium breathing exercises help identify dysfunctional breathing patterns whilst creating a platform to help young people understand the role breathing plays in mental health, the physiology of our bodies and the ability we have to self regulate our nervous system.

Our breathing is always present and is a tool that can be accessed whether we are safe or vulnerable.

These physical guided breathwork sessions and workshops can equip young people with the tools to acknowledge and process their own internal and external triggers mindfully and successfully creating positive feedback loops.