The present Covid-19 pandemic has forced the education community to change teaching methods and processes more rapidly than any other time in recent human history. ProWell aims to support this rapid change through innovative teaching and learning using digital technologies. It aims to build competencies and digital skills and provide necessary knowledge to teachers and other educators as a way of better supporting children during and after adverse public health emergency situations. The training developed within the ProWell project will support teachers and educators such as sports coaches, recreational group leaders (dance etc), childcare professionals, nursery teachers etc. by offering guidance and motivation in order for them to support children during public health emergencies when disruption of social structures (as everyone is experiencing) becomes everyday practice. Teachers and educators have a pivotal role in maintaining social cohesion and establishing for children a reality and normalcy which is vital for their well being and mental health. Through on line training we will support, guide and motivate towards enabling this goal. Teachers well prepared for public health emergencies can act as important role models for children by supporting them through undeniably very challenging circumstances. The ongoing pandemic will serve as an example but the training developed can be applied in any public health emergency. The project objectives are: (1) To observe, identify and analyze training needs and opportunities in the field of mental health support for students specifically as a response to public health emergencies (2) To support the development of blended and distance training on the promotion of mental health wellbeing of children and young people during and after major public health emergencies (3) Support the development of innovative online resources and tools for teachers and educators (4) Increase teachers’ and educators’ awareness and preparedness skills in regards to supporting children and young people during and after major public health emergencies (5) Enhance partner capabilities to develop and deliver relevant training (6) Increase awareness and skills of communities, organizations, and other stakeholders on the newly produced training and the importance of promoting mental wellbeing in times of public health emergencies (7) Raise awareness and create relevant networks across the EU. The main activities include: (1) Mapping of EU and national relevant training (2) Focus groups to give voice to the target groups in terms of training needs and expectations (3) Development of an e-learning platform and through it the relevant training of the target groups (4) Guidance for VET providers and academic institutions The consortium includes 7 partners from Germany, France, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Spain and Croatia. The methodology includes mapping and research activities to describe the state of the art while participatory research will ensure that the target group’s needs and expectations are taken into consideration especially since this is a new situation the effects of which are only now being studied. Training will be available from an e-learning platform. The “Guidance and recommendations for VET trainers” will provide guidelines for VET providers and stakeholders for further exploitation of the training. Multiplier events will enhance exchange of knowledge between the target groups, VET and service providers, and relevant authorities at local/regional level, professional associations, academic institutions, government services and policymakers at national/European level. Pro WELL will train over 21 staff members and 140 members of the target group through the e-learning platform. Through the multiplier events over 200 participants will be approached, while through the project dissemination an audience of more than 1,000 stakeholders will be reached. The expected results for the professionals involved (teachers and educators) as well as staff of participating organizations upon completion of this project includes: • Increased awareness and knowledge regarding (a) relevant training opportunities and existing approaches (b) knowledge about training gaps and needs of the target groups • Enhanced knowledge and digital skills regarding active involvement of teachers and educators in promoting mental health of children through digital means, development of social competence and self regulation skills. The long term impact of the project is to improve the abilities of teachers and educators to support children and young people during and after public health emergencies. It will provide hands-on guidelines, evaluated practices and material that can be easily adopted by anyone interested. Furthermore, the e-learning platform, available in multiple languages, will be accessible after project completion.
The aim of this project was to address the mental health needs of children and adolescents during and after public health emergencies. Specifically, the project sought to achieve the following objectives: 1) Conduct an observation, identification and analysis of training needs and opportunities for mental health support for students in response to public health emergencies. 2) Support the development of blended and distance training programs that promote mental health wellbeing for children and young people during and after major public health emergencies. 3) Develop innovative online resources and tools that teachers and educators can use to enhance their knowledge and skills in supporting students' mental health. 4) Increase teachers' and educators' awareness and preparedness skills in supporting children and young people during and after major public health emergencies. 5) Enhance partner capabilities to develop and deliver relevant training programs. 6) Increase awareness and skills of organizations and other stakeholders on the newly produced training and the importance of promoting mental wellbeing in times of public health emergencies. 7) Raise awareness and create relevant networks across the EU .
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced the education community to change teaching methods and students had to adjust to remote learning, deal with social isolation and cope with the uncertainty of the future. It is essential to recognise that students' mental health needs have been affected and that educators play a vital role in supporting them. Developing a project that includes the training of teachers on students' mental health needs during public health emergencies is critical in these times. ProWell adressed this need by building innovative learning using digital technologies for teachers and other educators. The ProWell curriculum offers knowledge, guidance and motivation to teachers and other educators to support children during and after public health crises. Teachers who have received the online ProWell training have developed several competences, for instance; how to identify and respond to students' mental health needs and how to foster a supportive and safe learning environment that promotes positive mental health outcomes. The covid-19 pandemic served as an example but the training developed can be applied in any public health emergency.