Project Information
Project Reference: 2024-1-MT01-KA152-YOU-000217678
Status: Completed
Duration: Jun 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025
EU Grant: 35,209 EUR
Programme: Erasmus+
Action Type: Mobility of Young People (Youth Exchange)
Countries Involved: Malta, Turkey, Portugal, Spain
Project Background
The project “Mind Matters: Advocating Mental Health” was created to respond to the growing mental health challenges faced by young people today. Many young people experience stress, anxiety, emotional pressure, and difficulties in expressing their feelings. At the same time, mental health is still often surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding.
Project Aim
The main aim of the project was to create a safe and supportive space where young people from different countries could openly explore the topic of mental health. The project wanted to help participants better understand emotional wellbeing, develop self-awareness, and learn how to support themselves and others in everyday life.
Main Objectives
The project focused on several important goals. It aimed to raise awareness about mental health, challenge stereotypes and stigma, and encourage open conversations among young people. It also wanted to provide practical tools for stress management, emotional resilience, mindfulness, and healthy communication.
Learning Approach
The activities were based on non-formal education methods, which made the learning process interactive and youth-friendly. Instead of only listening to theory, participants learned through workshops, group discussions, reflection exercises, storytelling, creative tasks, and role plays. This helped them connect the topic to their own real-life experiences.
Implementation of the Exchange
The project was implemented as an 8-day youth exchange in Malta. Each day had a clear focus and supported the participants’ emotional and personal development. The programme started with trust-building and group activities, then gradually moved into deeper topics such as emotional literacy, communication, boundaries, digital wellbeing, and peer support.
Key Activities
Participants explored many practical topics during the exchange. They took part in sessions on understanding emotions, managing stress, improving self-expression, and recognising unhealthy patterns. One important part of the programme also focused on digital wellbeing, helping participants reflect on the influence of social media and screen time on their mental health.
Creative and Intercultural Elements
A strong part of the project was its creative and intercultural dimension. Participants from different cultural backgrounds shared how mental health is viewed and discussed in their countries. This helped them better understand each other’s realities, reduce prejudice, and build empathy. It also showed that mental health is a shared issue across Europe.
Project Outputs
One of the most visible outcomes of the project was the creation of short social media video campaigns about mental health. Working in international teams, participants developed ideas, wrote scripts, recorded videos, and edited content to share positive and realistic messages about mental wellbeing. These outputs helped spread the project’s message beyond the exchange itself.
Impact on Participants
The project had a strong personal impact on participants. Many of them improved their emotional awareness, communication skills, confidence, and ability to support others. They also gained practical tools to manage stress, set healthy boundaries, and talk more openly about mental health. For some, it was also their first international mobility experience, which supported their personal growth even more.
Impact on Organisations and Communities
The project also strengthened the participating organisations by helping them improve their methods in youth work and mental health education. The ideas and tools developed during the exchange can now be used in future local and international activities. Participants also returned home with new knowledge and shared what they learned with peers in their communities.
Conclusion
Overall, “Mind Matters” was a meaningful and timely project that helped young people better understand mental health in a practical, inclusive, and creative way. It encouraged openness, empathy, and resilience, while also giving participants useful tools for daily life. The project showed how youth exchanges can create real impact both on a personal level and within wider communities.
