On October 22, 2025, the Kick-Off Meeting of the HealthyMinds project was held at the Moxy Patra Marina in Patras, marking the official launch of a cross-border initiative aimed at addressing mental health challenges faced by Generation Z youth (aged 17 and up). The project seeks to establish a network of early diagnosis and intervention mechanisms by integrating technology and innovative services into primary and secondary prevention levels in both Greece and Italy.
The initiative involves four partners: for Italy, the Municipality of Nardò and the NGO Padre Gigi Movia ETS; for Greece, the Hellenic Regulatory Body of Nurses (HRBN) – Regional Section 3 of Patras and the 6th Regional Health Authority.
All project partners attended the meeting, along with representatives from the Joint Secretariat of the Programme, including the Communication Officer, the Project Officer, and the JS Coordinator.
Participants presented the activities already carried out, outlined the future work plan, and reaffirmed their joint commitment to creating multi-level responses that combine research, awareness-raising, education, informal support networks, and digital tools to reduce the incidence of mental health issues and promote inclusion and well-being among young people. HealthyMinds also aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation in the Greece–Italy project area through a rich and fruitful exchange of knowledge.
Thanks to the HealthyMinds project, a comprehensive action plan will be implemented in educational institutions and families, including: research in high schools and universities to identify emerging mental health issues; awareness and training activities for teachers, parents, and students; creation of informal mental health support networks integrated with official services; and the launch of a digital platform for remote consultations.
Furthermore, recognizing the strong connection between Gen Z and mobile technology, a trilingual serious game will be developed to help manage stress—one of the main contributing factors to youth mental health disorders. The project also addresses the psychological impacts of climate change, particularly post-traumatic stress disorders, by training municipal social workers in affected project areas.
The project will be implemented over 24 months, with a total budget of €1,367,153.44 co-financed by the European Union.
