The aim of this thesis is to provide a description of the concept of compassion for themselves and others and to provide insight into existing scientific knowledge about their connection with the determinants of mental health. Compassion, a concept that has been present for thousands of years within the traditions of Eastern religions, has become the subject of interest and engagement in the social and natural sciences for several decades, and has taken a special place in research into relationships with psychophysical health. Compassion can be seen as an unaccepted ability to empathize that specifically occurs in emotionally unpleasantly colored situations, but the peculiarity of these human virtues is reflected in the reshaping of this primarily negative experience into an experience that contributes to optimal functioning during and after the process. The universality of compassion as a quality that can be cultivated has prompted the creation of an intervention aimed at developing compassion for oneself and others, and a relevant number of studies provide some evidence of a positive relationship between compassion for oneself and others with mental health. Self-compassion thus builds and maintains feelings of connection, belonging and life satisfaction, reduces anxiety, depression and negative affect, while compassion helps alleviate personal and other people's suffering, encourages alturistic behavior, increases feelings of contentment, happiness and love. The work to date suggests a promising opportunity to use exsisting interventions to develop compassion in work with children and young people, especially in a service that develops socio-emotional competencies that contribute significantly to a well-being where people can realize their potential, cope with everyday stress and contribute to their community.