One participant described the Erasmus+ training course “Youth Workers’ Lab for Mental Well-being” as an authentic and deeply meaningful experience that combined practical learning, emotional reflection, intercultural exchange, and personal growth. According to the participant, the project went far beyond theoretical discussions by providing youth workers with concrete methods and tools that can be directly applied when working with young people facing stress, emotional pressure, and mental health challenges.
The participant highlighted that the project successfully created a safe and supportive environment where difficult but highly relevant topics such as stress, social media influence, burnout, bullying, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on mental well-being could be openly discussed. Activities such as meditation, movement-based exercises, creative sessions, group sharing, and intercultural evenings helped strengthen trust and emotional connection within the group while also encouraging participants to reflect more deeply on themselves and their role as youth workers.
A particularly important outcome for the participant was the development of greater self-awareness and empathy. Through the project experience, they became more conscious of the sources of stress in everyday life and learned to focus on what can realistically be controlled while letting go of unnecessary pressure and anxiety. Listening to perspectives from participants from different countries also broadened their understanding of the challenges young people face across Europe and reinforced the importance of emotional safety, active listening, and supportive communication in youth work.
The participant also shared that one of the most transformative activities was a creative drawing and flow-based exercise focused on non-verbal emotional expression. The activity demonstrated how creativity can help young people process emotions, relax, and express themselves without pressure or fear of judgment. Inspired by this experience, the participant plans to integrate mindfulness, grounding exercises, and creative reflection methods into their future youth work practice in order to better support young people’s emotional well-being and stress management.
Reflecting on the overall impact of the project, the participant strongly recommended Erasmus+ experiences to other young people and youth workers. They emphasized that such projects not only provide practical competences and international experience, but also create meaningful opportunities for self-discovery, intercultural understanding, confidence-building, and personal transformation. According to the participant, Erasmus+ projects have the power to positively influence both the professional and personal development of young people while fostering empathy, openness, and social awareness.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
