On behalf of the Fundacja "Leonarda," together with our partners from Hungary, Malta, Czechia, Spain, Romania, Bulgaria we aim to promote comprehensive mental health education through non-formal methods among youth workers. Members of our partner organizations share mutual objectives regarding mental health education, based on youth worker surveys and academic research. To ensure our project effectively addresses the needs of young people, we conducted a needs assessment across our partner organizations. The findings indicate: • Lack of accessible mental health education: A survey conducted across partner organizations (Poland, Hungary, Spain) revealed that 78% of youth workers feel unprepared to provide mental health support due to insufficient training. • Mental health challenges: 64% of young people consider mental health a major concern, with anxiety and depression being the most reported issues (Ref. 1). • Movement as medicine: 82% of youth workers indicated that movement is one of the first steps in addressing mental health issues (Ref. 2). These trends highlight the necessity of equipping youth workers with mental health education skills, which this project will address through workshops, exercises, and long-term dissemination strategies. Research also emphasizes the importance of mental well-being for the overall productivity and development of young people (Ref. 3). The rapid evolution of information technology, combined with the global impact of COVID-19, has intensified mental health challenges for youth. Approximately 9 million adolescents in Europe are living with mental disorders, with anxiety and depression accounting for more than half of these cases (Ref. 1). Additionally, mental health issues among individuals aged 15 to 24 nearly doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic (Ref. 2). While the digital revolution has facilitated communication, it has also led to increased social isolation, reduced physical activity, and excessive screen time, contributing to declining mental well-being (Ref. 3). Moreover, young people are disproportionately affected by the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including social isolation and disruptions to education and employment (Ref. 4). We believe that supporting young people involves fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience. In this context, yoga has been shown to positively impact mental health by improving attention, self-esteem, and emotional balance (Ref. 5). The integration of mindfulness and movement-based practices into youth work can contribute to long-term wellbeing, equipping young people with practical tools to navigate challenges. Project aim: Educate youth workers on the importance of mental health through non-formal education in yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness. Identified needs: Based on research and internal surveys, the following needs have been identified: 1. Limited Competence in Non-Formal Education Methods for Mental Health and Resilience-Building (Objective 1) Youth workers lack the necessary skills to effectively deliver mindfulness and body-mind connection practices to young people. They need training in non-formal education methods, including the psychology behind youth resilience, as well as practical techniques such as yoga, breathwork, and meditation. Strengthening their competence in these areas will enable them to create a more mindful and stress-resilient environment for both themselves and the youth they work with. 2. Lack of Cultural and Inclusion Awareness in Yoga and Mindfulness Practices (Objective 2) Youth workers require a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural aspects of yoga and mindfulness to ensure respectful and informed adaptation of these practices in their work. Additionally, they need strategies to create inclusive environments that acknowledge diverse backgrounds, identities, and the challenges faced by marginalized groups. Developing these skills will allow them to make yoga-based interventions more accessible and supportive for all youth, including those from underrepresented communities. 3. Need for Digital and Collaborative Resources for Long-Term Impact (Objective 3) Youth workers lack accessible, interactive resources to support mental health education in a youth-friendly format. There is a need for a collaborative, digital platform that provides guidance on handling stress and difficult situations through movement, breathwork, and meditation. By co-creating an Instagram account dedicated to these themes, youth workers will establish a long-lasting, engaging resource that can be continuously used and shared within their organizations and youth networks. Due to space limits, we have added the references in a separate file as an attachment.