YIMinds stands for “Youth Information minding young people’s mental health”. Coordinated by ERYICA, with 8 partners and co-funded by Erasmus+, this project aimed to build the capacity of the youth (information) sector in the field of mental health.
Did you know that 2 out of 3 youth (information) workers have already been in a situation of supporting young people showing signs of distress or mental health problems? And that a vast majority don’t have protocols in place in their organisations to face such situations? Should we leave mental health to experts or shall we equip our sector to play its role in supporting young people’s well being?
At Eurodesk we believe that we need to do something, at our level. We are not experts, but we are in daily contact with young people. Sadness, depression, hopelessness, anxiety, academic pressure, and helplessness are the most cited symptoms reported by the respondents of the YIminds survey, followed by sleep difficulties, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. That’s why we joined forces with ERYICA in the YIminds project. Together with the 8 project partners, we aim to do our part to tackle this important challenge.
This project is coming to an end, with concrete outcomes available!
For youth (information) workers
Guide on Mental Health Literacy in Youth Information Work, February 2024
The guide will equip youth (information) work professionals to identify mental health distress among young people, to provide first-hand support, and, when needed, to refer them to specialised services.
YIminds Survey Report
YIminds is a comprehensive report that provides insights into young mental health in the European Union. It’s an essential resource for anyone who cares about young people's mental health and would like to provide them with appropriate support.
YIMinds podcast series
Through the podcast, young people had the opportunity to express themselves about the importance of mental health and well-being. Testimonials of youth information workers dealing with the issues raised by young people are also shown in a sort of dialogue. The podcast primarily targets youth information workers. Most of the practical cases and good practices narrated in the podcast complement the guide.
For Young People
Awareness raising campaign
An awareness-raising campaign made by young people was launched in November 2023 to reverse mental health stigma that too often prevents young people from talking about their problems.
Mind Matters ToolBox
The "Mind Matters Toolbox” aims to empower young people by providing resources that help them understand mental health better.
For policy-makers
Policy recommendations from the project research and outcomes for better advocacy on young people’s mental health were released in September 2024. Its nine recommendations can be adapted at the local, regional, national and European level.
Partners
ERYICA, coordinator
Harno (Estonia), Centro Regional De Información y Documentación Juvenil (Madrid, Spain), Bundesnetzwerk Österreichische Jugendinfos (Austria), DeAmbrassade (Belgium), Cyprus Youth Council (Cyprus) and IASIS (Greece) - partners.
YoungScot (Scotland) and Eurodesk – associated partners.
