Abstract:

The YoungMinds - Enhancing teachers' skills in fostering mental health in children and young people project (Erasmus+ project nr. 2024-1-HR01-KA220-SCH-000244244) aims to improve teachers' competences in promoting students' mental health, psychosocial awareness and wellbeing using films as an educational tool.

The project relies on a refreshingly simple methodology, combining the screening of European audiovisual productions with student reflections and discussions on mental health topics based on the characters in the films.

The initial phase of the project involved research, development and design of resources for upper-secondary teachers, resulting in two key documents:
- LIGHTS, CAMERA, MENTAL HEALTH | European films and documentaries about Mental Health for the classroom
A booklet featuring 20 short films aimed at encouraging open, stigma-free classroom discussions. The films are divided into emotional stories and educational clips addressing specific mental health topics. Each film profile includes key issues, lesson plans, and resources to help teachers facilitate engaging and inclusive conversations.
- YOUNGMINDS HANDBOOK | Using movies to reflect and dialogue with young people about Mental Health in schools

A handbook providing teachers with background information about the project, its methodology, and detailed lesson plans: it includes activities for using selected videos and a lesson plan for students to create their own mental health videos. All worksheets and activity materials are provided.

This methodology, which includes films and lesson plans, will be implemented by four schools within the consortium. These schools will collaborate with four additional schools to gather information and feedback on the effectiveness and impact of the approach in promoting mental health awareness and fostering school community engagement on this matter.

The schools and teachers involved in evidence-based implementation will benefit from an international programme designed and delivered by four expert organisations in mental health, filmmaking, philosophical reflection through storytelling and teachers’ training. Through this programme, teachers will be able to: enhance their mental health literacy, prepare to implement the YoungMinds approach in their classrooms and plan and lead workshops and events that engage the school community and raise awareness of mental health issues.

The lessons will be implemented in two phases: one at the end of the 2025/2026 school year and another at the start of the 2026/2027 school year. Feedback from the first phase will be used to refine the methodology for the second phase. The implementation will also include:
- Students creating additional videos on mental health topics, allowing them to actively raise awareness and expand school resources for addressing these issues.
- Organising "Mental Health on Screen" events, where films on mental health will be screened and followed by discussions or activities involving parents, students, and external professionals, fostering a mental health-focused community.

This approach will enable partners to further refine and expand the project, demonstrating its adaptability and potential for scalability.

By fostering open dialogue and emotional resilience, YoungMinds aims to achieve improvements in students' mental wellbeing, including enhanced emotional regulation and reduced stigma, while also boosting teachers' competences in addressing mental health topics.

Keywords:

Mental Health awareness, Students' wellbeing, Film-based Education.