Zadar, Croatia | 28 September – 4 October 2025
24 participants from Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece, Czech Republic, Serbia, Albania, Malta, and Spain
From 28 September to 4 October 2025, Zadar became a meeting point for youth workers from across Europe who share one important goal — to strengthen mental health support for young people.
The training “The Playfield Project – Training Youth Workers for Mental Health Support” gathered 24 participants from eight countries, led by three trainers.
The project took place under the Erasmus+ Programme (KA153-YOU – Mobility of Youth Workers) and brought together partners EHSB, EIC, KANE, Alpha, NLC, Hodina H, ECK, and ESN Tirana.
🌱 Learning Together
During six days of workshops, discussions and practice, participants explored different aspects of mental health in youth work — from understanding what mental health really means, to recognising early warning signs and learning how to react when someone is struggling.
They practised first-line support, talked about how to guide young people towards professional help, and reflected on what it means to truly listen and offer support without judgment.
Sessions combined non-formal education methods, mindfulness, yoga, elements of cognitive-behavioural techniques, and open conversations about real-life challenges. The balance between learning, sharing and personal reflection made each day meaningful and grounded.
💬 People and Atmosphere
What made this training special was the group itself – open-minded, curious and genuinely kind.
Participants were eager to share their experiences and local realities, and to listen to others.
Conversations often turned into moments of deep understanding, where everyone could see how mental health challenges connect us across cultures and contexts.
It was more than a training. It was a space for peer learning, empathy, and connection, where ideas grew naturally through exchange. The diversity of participants — from young youth workers to more experienced ones — brought a richness that made the experience even stronger.
💡 Reflections and Takeaways
Through joint discussions and practice, participants reflected on a few key messages:
Mental health is not just the absence of illness — it’s about balance, connection, and community.
Listening with empathy often matters more than giving advice.
Even when worldviews differ, compassion builds bridges.
Every person can contribute to mental well-being in their environment.
Self-care, mindfulness and awareness are essential parts of helping others.
🌍 Looking Ahead
The final day was dedicated to planning what comes next. Each national team created its own dissemination plan — concrete steps on how to share what they’ve learned back home.
Ideas ranged from local workshops and peer-to-peer activities to awareness campaigns and community talks.
As the trainers concluded:
“Supporting others starts with awareness, empathy, and presence. Through small actions, we can create big change — one conversation, one young person, one safe space at a time.”
✨ In Summary
The Playfield Project was more than just a training course.
It was a week of connection, growth, and mutual learning. The group left Zadar with new knowledge, stronger empathy, and the motivation to create supportive spaces for young people in their own communities.
Playfield – Training Youth Workers for Mental Health Support was funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme.
