The project Mental Wellbeing in Education for Disadvantaged Youth (MEET) is implemented in the period 01 January 2024 – 30 June 2026 and aims to strengthen capacities for promoting youth mental health in both formal and non-formal education, with a particular focus on young people from vulnerable and socially marginalised groups. Through the development of inclusive and innovative tools and educational materials, the project contributes to the prevention of mental health challenges, the strengthening of young people’s life and social skills, and the creation of more resilient educational communities.
The project is implemented within the Interreg Danube Region Programme in partnership with 15 organisations and institutions from 11 countries: Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Slovenia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the project is implemented by the Association Amica Educa in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Tuzla Canton.
During the first two years, project activities focused on assessing the needs of young people in the field of mental health, developing methodologies, and collecting examples of good practices. In all partner countries, “Youth Mental Health Labs” were organised, bringing together young people and professionals to jointly reflect on challenges and explore possible solutions for improving mental health support in education.
The results of this process have been compiled in a Catalogue of Good Practices and a Youth Mental Health Handbook. At the local level, focus group meetings were organised with representatives of relevant institutions, organisations, and young people, contributing to the development of a Draft Local Action Plan for Youth Mental Health in Education.
Within the project, practical tools (a Toolbox) for professionals and educational materials for young people have also been developed to strengthen psychosocial skills, resilience, and mental wellbeing. These materials were tested through pilot activities in ten partner countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they were applied in work with 44 young participants.
The project also includes knowledge exchange activities among partners through thematic webinars and study visits, aimed at strengthening professional capacities and improving practices in the field of youth mental health. In the coming period, the project will focus on finalising and promoting the developed materials in order to make them widely accessible to professionals and organisations working with young people in education.
