Healthy Mind, Healthy Child (HMHC) is a European project funded by the CERV programme that aims to improve the mental health of children aged 7 to 14, especially those in vulnerable situations: children with disabilities, migrants and refugees from Ukraine. Through innovative activities the project strengthens children’s emotional resilience and trains the people around them to recognise and address mental health challenges.
Programme: CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values), European Union
Countries: Croatia, Spain and Slovenia
Partners: Inkubator dječje izvrsnosti (coordinator, HR), Neotalentway (ES), Športno društvo T.E.A.M. (SI)
Target group: children aged 7 to 14, families, teachers, coaches and professionals
Project website: healthymindhealthychild.eu
Why it matters
Children’s mental health problems are on the rise across Europe, and many children do not receive appropriate care and support because of cultural, social or institutional barriers. HMHC responds to this urgency by building a support network of families, schools, sports clubs, professionals and policy makers. The shared goal: a safer, more inclusive and more empathetic environment for children.
What we do
- outdoor and nature therapies
- sports mentoring for emotional resilience
- digital storytelling as a tool for expressing emotions
- training for families, teachers and coaches
- online awareness campaigns on children’s mental health
In addition, the project produces educational materials, conducts research and creates digital tools and recommendations to influence public policy at local, national and European level.
Who the project is for
- school-age children, with a special focus on vulnerable groups
- families and carers
- education and sports professionals
- psychologists and mental health experts
- local community representatives and decision makers
The role of Inkubator dječje izvrsnosti
IDI is the project coordinator: it leads the overall implementation, designs the sports mentoring and the training for families and teachers, and organises the final event of the project. Our expertise combines sport and children’s mental health, including experience of working with refugees from Ukraine.
Project results
- Report on mental health among children
- Recommendations for multidimensional support
- Parent and Teacher Mental Health First Aid Toolkit
All materials will be freely available in Croatian, Spanish, Slovenian and English on the project website.
The Healthy Mind, Healthy Child project is co-funded by the European Union through the CERV programme.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.