<< Background >>The recent COVID-19 crisis, increased the numbers, with over a half of YP across the globe showing signs of depression and anxiety (Youth & Covid-19 survey in 112 countries). Fear, worry and stress are emotions that YP are likely have felt in the recent 2 years, undoubtedly affecting their mental health. Furthermore, based on the survey, many YP have seen their futures impacted by the pandemic, as many national economies were collapsed. This led to constant fear and worry about their future career prospects which could have long-term, negative results if not addressed.However, the mental health crisis on YP has been building for a long time before the pandemic. A study of WHO, revealed a decline in YP’s mental well-being from 2014 -2018. It is estimated that 4% of 15-24 years old, recognize that they might suffer from chronic depression, while 14% of the European youth between 18-24 feel anxiety. Importantly, half of all MHP in adulthood turn out during or before adolescence period (WHO Europe). Indeed, the transition to adulthood even though it is an interesting period of our life, is also critical and transformative time since it is full of challenges, which can trigger of anxiety and worries.In addition, while YP are experiencing MHP in a higher level than other age groups, they are often reluctant into seeking professional help either because they may not recognise what is happening, or they feel ashamed. It is estimated that only 10–15% of YP with mental health problems receive help from existing mental health services (WHO 2005). While organizations are developing programmes for promoting YP’s mental health, these programmes tend to be deficit-oriented, emphasizing on YP’s problems, leading them to focus on what is wrong rather than what is right. From a professional’s view, this can increase stigmatization and reduce YP’s motivation to take care of their selves. Therefore, youth programmes should focus on helping YP to concentrate on how they can solve their problems and what they can do in order to prevent from having any. Moreover, although it’s evident that well informed YW on the mental health can deliver distinctive outcomes for YP, many YW find it difficult to open discussions with YP on mental health issues, maybe because they do not have the skills/knowledge to initiate these kind of conversations. If YW can encourage YP to talk about their emotions, they can reduce the existing social stigma around mental health which makes it harder for them to recover. Based on the above, and the fact that the Mental Wellbeing and end stigmatisation of MHP, for achieving social inclusion of all YP, is one of the most important priorities of the EU YOUTH STRATEGY, the project aims to promote positive mental health in YP by improving their knowledge around mental health and equipping them with skills to take care and maintain their mental wellbeing.<< Objectives >>The project aims to:•Normalize MHP by encouraging YW and YP to talk about them, share experiences, and being there for others when help is needed •Equip YW with the needed knowledge, skills and attitudes to address the needs of YP regarding mental health issues.•Help YP to better understand their emotions, talk more about mental health issues, and develop resilience.•Reduce social stigma and normalise conversation around MHP;•Promote healthier attitudes and behaviours in the long-term as YP will be equipped with skills and competences during adolescence enabling the avoidance of mental health issues in their adult life;<< Implementation >>1.Organization of 2 group discussions with YP for collection and analysis of data-PR1: It is planned that 30 YP (20 for CY) per country, will participate (Total: 200 YP). Participants will be selected from the existing networks of the partner organisations. Main aim of both activities is to assess YP’s Mental Health Literacy level, skills for coping with stressful situations, attitudes towards people with MHP (social stigma) and record the main MHP they might face. 2.KNOWLEDGE PACK: Based on the identification of the Associate Partners each partner will select 2 Advisory Experts (Mental Health Professionals with experience in working with YP) who will participate in an ONLINE PEER REVIEW Activity for evaluating and providing feedback on the produced PACK (Total: 12 experts – 2 per country). 3.C1-Train the TRAINERS: 2 YW per country will participate in the training activity for 7 days (2 traveling) and be prepared for the utilization of the developed Project Results and setting up the YouthMINDS CHALLENGE, organised in SP.4.YP and YW will participate in the scheduled execution of the GUIDEBOOK in PR5 for the PILOT TESTING of PR1, PR2, PR3, PR4. Following the C1 activity, 20 YP selected by each partner organization will attended the YouthMINDS CHALLENGE which will be run for months in each country (each partner will decide the exact dates based on availability of YP and YW) by the trained YW and the support of the host organization. The CHALLENGE will include: a)A 30 hours training workshops for YP utlizing the developed project results combined with outdoor activities (in the park, beach, on the mountains) for helping YP to realise their intellectual and emotional potential and be prepare to deal with mental health issues, promote mental health and wellbeing, healthy lifestyle, reduction of social stigma etc. b)During the course, YP will need to register in the PLATFORM, join the e-LEARNING and e-COMMUNITY and complete some quizzes in their free time. c)Download the InnerYOU APP, proceed to self assesment and create their own PERSONALISED ACTION PLAN to be performed. d)Selection of 5 YP and 2 YW to accompany them, for the C2 Blended Mobility of learners in PL.e)Three weeks following the pilot testing, a focus group will be organized for inviting YP to evaluate the Smartphone APP and provide their suggestions for improvement etc. 5.NATIONAL CONFERENCES (E1-E6): 30 YW and YP will attend the local conference in each partner country. (Total. 200). Partner organization will try to reach direct and indirect target groups though:-Newsletters (4) will be online distributed to YP, youth organisations-national youth councils, schools, teachers, trainers, NGOs, and other actors in order to be actively involved in the project work. (Total receivers of newsletters: 1400, 200/country email addresses)-Social media will be used to involve people in project's outcomes. (Total at least 350/ 50 per country). All the material developed will upload to Facebook page of the project in order to enhance their dissemination.-Other national events, e.g. MENTAL HEALTH DAY, ERASMUS+ DAYS, EU YOUTH WEEK, etc where the project will be presented (Total visitors 10.000)It should be noted that the above estimates do not include all categories of persons obtaining information on the project and its activities, whose number will not be feasible to be recorded, e.g persons visiting the PORTAL without being registered, persons indirectly obtaining information through the SALTO etc.<< Results >>The main Project results that are expected to be achieved during the implementation phase are: •InnerYOU SMARTPHONE APPLICATION addresed to YP, with personalized Action Plans including a set of physical and relaxation activities to be performed at a weekly basis, which will help the user to build emotional strength and to cope with stressful situations etc. The plans will be based on each person needs and characteristics with the aim to improve their mental health state. •an innovative KNOWLEDGE PACK combining text, audio, image and video dedicated on enhancing YP’s MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY. The PACK will include various creative resources and tools such as e-books, podcasts, educational videos, e-quizzes focused on increasing awareness of YP on mental health conditions, treatment, healthy lifestyle etc.•An ACTIVITY PACK for YW, aim to help YP to develop/improve/mantain their social and emotional skills, as social-emotional development is highly linked with positive mental health and can support individuals in coping with stress, dealing with different emotional states, improving personal relationships etc. •A CLOUD-BASED PLATFORM addresed to YP, YW and other educators/trainers/professionals working with YP with three main functionalities: e-Learning (with all learning material ), the e-COMMUNITY (where all participants will be linked, experts, volunteers, YP, YW etc.) and the HELP DESK. •A GUIDEBOOK addressed to YW and youth organizations with the essential methodology, roles and responsibilities of participants, requirements, SWOT analysis, procedures, guidelines and tools for setting up the YouthMINDS CHALLENGE for ensuring project’s exploitation and sustainability and the pilot testing of all the produces IOs.During the project and after its completion, the partners expect that both YW and YP, as well as partners’ organizations, will gain experience and knowledge from this collaboration:•YP will be more aware on Mental Health issues and wellbeing.•More prepared YW to address mental health issues and strengthen young people’s social and emotional development•by reducing social and self-stigma•More educated YP and YW on Mental illness resulting to the reduction of social stigma, which eventually will promote social inclusion of YP with Mental Health IsuuesThe project will include all the necessary results to be coherent and successfully implemented. In complementing the PRs the partners will also deliver the following results:- Project Management Plan that will include specific initiations and guidelines on project management, time and resources allocation, communication process and the quality plan.-Quality Assurance plan covering the overall course of the project to make sure all activities are undertaken in an effective way leading to desired results - 1 Dissemination, and 1 Exploitation and Sustainability Plan that will outline and set an action plan for all the dissemination activities of the project- Minutes following each partner project meetings (4 F2F and 6 Skypes)- Reports (e.g. activity, financial, dissemination) as requested by the partner agreement and the management plan based on which the progress and final reports will be based on to showcase the development of the project in comparison to the Gantt ChartOther results to be produced, during and at its completion are:- Project logo, website, FB- 6 Multiplier events in the framework of the dissemination and exploitation of activities in each country.- Creation and distribution of dissemination material (posters, informative videos etc.)- 4 Newsletters developed and disseminated after important project milestones to be translated in all partner languages, distribute to stakeholders- 156 users to access the YouthMINDS PLATFORM by the end of the project (2 youth workers, 20 young people from each partner country) and download the InnerYOU Smartphone App - 350 posts to be uploaded on social media within the project duration