The project's objectives were to: •use 5 focus groups in all partner countries to develop 1 list of common challenges that identify current issues young people are facing in the post-Covid era, improving their digitalisation capabilities within lifelong learning for prosperous personal progress, as well as changing their mindset (20 individuals in each country, >100 individuals) •develop 1 e-course using micro-training and storytelling, ensuring that individuals acquire the knowledge, skills and competences for personal growth •create training material for self-learning with the help of coaching, which will cover visualization for empowerment, techniques to decrease stress, power to change, etc. •develop 1 e-lesson (guide, e-book): support the developed training material for efficient and effective self-learning and personal growth •perform e-training for learners: testing and validation of 1 e-lesson (guide, e-book), support the developed training material for effective self-learning and personal growth •perform 5 multiplier events and dissemination activities •organisational and stakeholder networking with >3 MoU signed
We applied for the project in response to the urgent and escalating mental health crisis among young people, exacerbated by the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and other stressors, particularly in regions affected by conflicts and geopolitical tensions. The OECD (2021) highlights a significant increase in mental health issues among young people, with symptoms of depression and anxiety doubling or more in many countries. The impact of social isolation, disrupted access to mental health services, and the uncertain post-Covid and war times at the Eastern EU border have created a pressing need for additional mental health support. Research indicates that optimistic thinking, trusting relationships, and physical activity are protective factors for mental well-being. However, the lack of social interactions and limited access to mental health services have hindered young people's ability to cope effectively. Recognizing the importance of timely intervention and support, we applied for the project to address these needs and contribute to the psychological resilience of young people. The YOUHEAL project came to provid easy access to open-source learning content for self-care.