From Inside Out

<< Background >>The motivation for applying for this project stemmed from the growing need to address mental health issues among young people and create safe spaces for open dialogue, especially through non-formal learning (NFL) methods. Across Europe, and particularly within the communities of the five partner organisations, there is a significant gap in mental health resources and awareness for youth.Through research, direct feedback from young people and youth workers, as well as observation and experience, it became clear that these communities were facing a lack of affordable or accessible resources, a shortage of information, and increased stigma surrounding mental health topics.Initial surveys highlighted key needs:- A support network for discussing mental health issues.- More accessible information and education about mental health resources.- Affordable mental health care resources/services.- Greater awareness campaigns on the importance of mental health.<< Objectives >>The main objective of this project was to empower youth workers from Iceland, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain to initiate positive dialogue on mental health and well-being with young people in their local communities. The broader goal was to mitigate the effects of mental health stigma, misinformation, and the lack of resources experienced by young people in these countries.Concrete objectives included:- Engage over 20 youth workers in the planned activities.- Develop smaller-scale activities focused on mental health awareness.- Co-create projects and activities reaching over 10,000 individuals.- Launch Mental Health Awareness Campaigns using shared good practices.Through this project, the five participating organisations involved staff, youth workers, and volunteers in research and exchanges of effective practices for addressing youth mental health at both local and national levels. This collaboration allowed for the development of new strategies and approaches to enhance the quality of youth work.<< Implementation >>A1 included an online kick-off meeting and the online surveys to collect information on the local youth needs and access to mental health resources.The first mobility, a 4-day Transnational Meeting, took place in Granada in December 2023, where key data was shared and discussed.In A2 participants began implementing the good practices identified in A1. Additional resources for youth workers were also explored. This phase allowed the practical application of ideas across partner organisations.A3 began with an online meeting to review the progress from A2 and plan the upcoming mobility, a 9-day training seminar in Reykjavík which allowed participants to implement their successful practices. This seminar focused on hands-on experiences and refining the Good Practices Toolbox.In A4 the Toolbox was finalised during this phase. During a 4-day Transnational Meeting in Greece in July 2024, partners worked on strategies to ensure that the results would have a wide impact across youth networks.A5 included dissemination events and Mental Health Awareness Campaigns. Final evaluation meetings were held online to assess the project outcomes. Project results were shared through SALTO-Youth, and the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform.<< Results >>In response to the identified needs, partner organisations created accessible non-formal learning (NFL) resources, established safe spaces for open dialogue, and empowered ESC volunteer coordinators, youth workers, and educators. These initiatives were further supported by social media campaigns and local events, which actively engaged the public and stakeholders in promoting better mental health and well-being for young people.Long-term collaboration between the partner organisations allowed building a sustainable network for sharing knowledge and developing innovative solutions. By bridging national policies and resources on mental health with practical activities, partners ensured that targeted communities benefited from tangible, real-world support.Key outcomes include:- A Good Practices Toolbox with 8 non-formal learning methods and supporting resources.- Engagement of over 22 youth workers and youngsters in the planned mobilities.- Development of 20+ smaller-scale activities focused on mental health awareness.- Dissemination of projects and activities online and in-person reaching over 12,000 individuals.- Mental Health Awareness Campaigns across five European countries, using shared good practices.