MindFit is an international Erasmus+ Sport project dedicated to the mental health of young athletes aged 10 to 18. It grew out of the Building Resilience initiative and brings together experts from Croatia and Spain to develop practical tools, training and resources for athletes, coaches and sports organisations, because a healthy mind matters as much as a strong body.
Programme: Erasmus+ Sport (ERASMUS-SPORT-2024)
Project number: 101181079
Countries: Croatia and Spain
Target group: young athletes (10 to 18), coaches, parents, sports clubs and associations
Project website: mindfitproject.eu
Project goal
The project starts with a three-month needs analysis (Gap Analysis) with expert consultations, surveys and interviews to identify the barriers to mental health support in sport. Based on the results, the MindFit programme is developed: an educational package with 16 modules, an online platform and tools for self-assessment and learning.
- the programme will be used by 90 young athletes from 6 sports clubs and associations
- 30 coaches from Croatia and Spain will complete a three-day training to work with the programme
- an awareness campaign aiming to reach more than 40,000 young people, athletes and coaches through videos, blogs and social media
Tools and resources
- Online platform with educational modules and interactive content
- MFQ questionnaire for self-assessment (Moods and Feelings Questionnaire): 13 questions with instant results and interpretation
- Handbooks for coaches and parents: how to recognise stress, burnout and emotional changes in young people
- Coach training: specialised workshops
- Media campaign: videos, blogs and stories that destigmatise mental health problems
Research and results
The research used a short version of the MFQ questionnaire together with interviews with athletes, coaches, parents and experts. Key findings:
- 501 respondents (300 from Croatia, 201 from Spain)
- 59.2% of Croatian adolescents show no depressive symptoms
- 47% of Spanish adolescents show moderate symptoms
- depressive symptoms increase with age and are most pronounced in the 16 to 18 age group
- severe symptoms are present in 7.8% of Croatian and 1.5% of Spanish respondents
The data clearly point to the need for early recognition of symptoms and structured support in the sports environment.
Why MindFit?
- ✅ evidence-based approach
- 🌍 international validation (HR + ES)
- 👦 focused on the 10 to 18 age group
- 🛠️ practical tools that are easy to apply
- 💬 focus on destigmatisation and open dialogue
The MindFit project is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Sport programme (no. 101181079).
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.