Here With Us

Project Reference

2021-2-DE04-KA152-YOU-000037924

Topics

Physical and Mental Health · Well-Being · Community Development

Action Type

Mobility of Young People

Countries Covered

Germany, Türkiye, Italy, Finland, Serbia

Summary

Loneliness is a feeling that arises when one’s relationships do not meet social needs. For many young people, it often emerges during periods of transition, such as moving to a new school, parental divorce, or the loss of a family member. Youth is already a time of significant change, with shifts in mental development and social identity, and these challenges can be compounded by societal pressures to perform and to “fit in.”

This project aimed to reduce the number of young people struggling with mental health concerns and loneliness. By creating awareness and building supportive peer communities, it helped participants strengthen their resilience, confront personal barriers, and gain the confidence to manage social pressures.

Objectives

The project set out to:

• Raise awareness of mental health issues among young people, with a particular focus on loneliness.

• Equip participants with tools to help themselves and others build stronger, more stable mindsets.

• Encourage young people to recognize and overcome personal barriers, boosting confidence and self-esteem.

• Promote peer-to-peer support within communities as a way of reducing isolation.

Activities

The exchange took place in Zlatibor, Serbia and engaged young people from Turkey, Serbia, Germany, Finland, and Italy. Non-formal education methods were used throughout, including workshops on:

• Team building and trust development.

• Information sessions on mental health and coping strategies.

• Collaborative activities to design solutions for challenges related to loneliness.

Participants also learned how to recognize peers facing mental difficulties, how to support their integration into social life, and how to guide them towards professional help when necessary.

Impact

The project contributed to reducing loneliness among young people by producing both tangible and long-term outcomes:

• Leaflet on Loneliness: Participants created a multilingual leaflet explaining the causes and effects of loneliness, with practical advice on how to support isolated peers and national contact points for assistance. The leaflets were distributed in schools, workplaces, and communities across partner countries.

• Awareness Video: A short film was produced focusing on loneliness as a widespread issue among young people. It was disseminated through social media, ensuring the message reached a broad international audience.

Overall, the project helped build empathy, strengthened coping strategies, and encouraged young people to become proactive in supporting mental health and well-being within their communities.