Youth Mental Health Lab#1 - Moldova

Organised by „Ion Creanga” State Pedagogical University of Chisinau, Google Classroom and online, 22. 11. 2024

On November 22, 2024, we hosted Lab I: Mental Health and Well-Being of Youth, organized under the international project MEET (Mental Well-being in Education for Disadvantaged Youth), part of the Interreg Danube Region Programme. This online session brought together academics, practitioners, and students to address key challenges affecting the mental health of young people, particularly NEET youth (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).

The event featured representatives from high schools, CRAP (Resource Centers for Adolescents and Youth), the National Network of Local Youth Councils in Moldova, Casa Marioarei, teachers from educational institutions, and the National Agency for Youth’s Directorate for Youth Services and Activities.

The event opened with a warm yet professional atmosphere as participants joined from various locations. The first session, led by Dr. Mihail Calalb, project director, introduced the MEET project’s goals and significance. This included a pre-training questionnaire to gauge participants’ initial perspectives on mental health issues among youth.

The second session, presented by Dr. Victoria Plămădeală, highlighted the socio-economic vulnerabilities and mental health challenges faced by NEET youth. Her insightful presentation revealed critical factors such as isolation, stigmatization, and lack of support. Participants resonated with the evidence-based strategies for addressing these issues, including cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation.

The final segment was dedicated to interactive debates. Participants collaborated to explore solutions for improving mental health support systems, such as community-based interventions and social integration programs. A post-training questionnaire captured feedback and reflections, ensuring the session’s outcomes align with participants’ needs.

This lab marked a significant step in raising awareness and fostering collaboration on youth mental health. Moving forward, the project will focus on piloting mental health education modules and developing tools for practitioners to enhance support for vulnerable groups.

We extend our gratitude to all participants for their active engagement and look forward to continuing these vital discussions in the next phases of the MEET project.