With the BE WELL project, we aimed to strengthen systemic support for the mental health of high school students and develop a sustainable model for enhancing well-being in the school environment. We recognised the need to reinforce school counselling services and teacher competences, as they often lack high-quality and effective tools for promoting students’ mental health. The main objective was to train teachers and school counsellors to use Positive Psychology Interventions (PPI), which have been shown to reduce the risk of mental health problems and strengthen students’ well-being. We also sought to empower teachers and counsellors to improve their own well-being, as their role is essential for creating a safe and supportive learning environment. Another key aim was to help develop protective mechanisms for students—especially those from less stimulating socio-economic environments—to cope more effectively with psychosocial distress. The project focused on creating high-quality learning materials and tools that support the regular integration of positive psychology approaches into everyday school practice and contribute to a more inclusive school climate.
We submitted the BE WELL project because we recognised the urgent need to systematically strengthen the mental health of high school students, which has declined further after the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools increasingly encounter adolescents facing anxiety, hopelessness, low self-esteem and other forms of psychosocial distress, while curricula often lack content that would equip them with effective coping strategies. The project addresses two key needs: strengthening the competences of teachers and school counsellors, and introducing Positive Psychology Interventions (PPI) – simple, prevention-oriented tools that support students’ well-being. PPIs have been proven to enhance character strengths, empathy, resilience, gratitude etc. Research shows that students, especially those from less stimulating socio-economic environments, often experience emotional and psychosomatic difficulties, while positive psychology programmes increase positive emotions, improve self-perception and reduce distress. BE WELL contributes to greater inclusion, better learning outcomes and a school culture that prioritises the mental health and well-being of students, teachers and school counsellors.