One in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime, with these issues often appearing during adolescence and youth. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the visibility of mental health problems and increased the demand for mental health services.

Many adolescents and young people lack the necessary skills to manage their emotions and relationships, leading to social withdrawal, identity issues, anxiety, and panic attacks. Without early prevention and treatment, these problems can develop into more serious mental illnesses. The stigma surrounding mental health prevents individuals from seeking treatment and hinders social inclusion.

To address this, professionals in the youth field need to be trained and spaces should be created to foster social participation and address mental health. This is the focus of the Healthy Inclusion through Art project.

Healthy Inclusion through Art (2023–2‑ES02-KA220-YOU-000184022) is a project co-funded by the European Union within the framework of the call for cooperation partnerships in the field of youth (KA220-YOU), running for two years (2024–2026).

It involves seven partners from Greece (IASIS), Ireland (ST. MICHAEL’S YOUTH PROJECT LIMITED (CORE), Italy (MetaIntelligenze Onlus), the Netherlands (STICHTING GO-WOMAN ALLIANCE EUROPE (GWAEU), Portugal (ASSOCIÇAO MAGNOLIA METHOD (MAGNOLIA)) and Spain (ASOCIACIÓN INICIATIVA INTERNACIONAL JOVEN (AIIJ), and ASOCIACIÓN DE FAMILIARES Y PERSONAS CON PROBLEMAS DE SALUD MENTAL (AFENES)).

This project aims to enhance the social inclusivity of young people with mental health issues or emerging symptoms through an approach that focuses on their artistic talents and interests. The project involves various key aspects.

• Firstly, an Online Training Course will be created to train youth workers and professionals in recognising and addressing mental health disorders and symptoms that impede the social inclusion of young people. This course will be free of charge and is expected to start on March 6, 2025.
• Additionally, new educational tools will be developed to provide an effective pathway for early recovery and social inclusion for young people with mental health issues.
• These tools will then be implemented with groups of affected youths.
• Furthermore, the project includes the creation of seven artworks in each participating country. These artworks will be developed in collaboration with young people, artists, and youth professionals to promote social inclusion through art activities.