New Report: Youth Mental Health Labs Across the Danube Region

The MEET project is proud to present one of its latest publication - The Youth Mental Health Labs Report that presents the results of implementing 21 Labs across 11 countries in the Danube Region, coordinated by 15 project partners within the MEET project, funded by the Interreg Danube Region Programme.

The Labs aimed to identify challenges and co-develop solutions related to youth mental health through participatory processes involving a wide range of stakeholders. Prior to implementation, partners reviewed 287 sources and mapped over 430 stakeholders. In total, 355 individuals—including 37 vulnerable young people—actively participated in two rounds of Labs.

A key strength of the methodology was its inclusivity, bringing together policymakers, educators, mental health professionals, NGOs, youth workers, and vulnerable youth. The Labs successfully identified pressing mental health challenges such as:

Lack of inter-institutional coordination,
Digital overload and its negative impact,
Academic stress and complex family dynamics,
Limited parental engagement,
Political and socio-economic instability in some regions.

Solutions co-developed during the Labs included:

Improved stakeholder collaboration,
Awareness campaigns to combat stigma,
Parental education and involvement,
Mental health integration into school curricula,
Safe spaces for peer connection and support.

The Labs also served as feedback arenas for core project outputs—such as the youth-centred best practice catalogue, toolbox for practitioners, and learning materials—ensuring their relevance and usability.

Overall, the Labs demonstrated that the methodology provided a well-balanced structure with flexibility for local adaptation, fostering strong stakeholder engagement. The report concludes with a recommendation to enhance sustainability by incorporating long-term planning from the outset.