Welcome to Healthy Mind, Healthy Child project
What is Healthy Mind, Healthy Child?
Healthy Mind, Healthy Child (HMHC) is a European project funded by the CERV programme that seeks 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 those around them to detect and address mental health challenges.
Child mental health issues are on the rise across Europe. Many children do not receive adequate care and support due to cultural, social or institutional barriers. HMHC responds to this urgency with a support network that includes families, schools, sports clubs, professionals and policy makers. The goal is shared: to create safer, more inclusive and empathetic environments for children.
Why is this important?
What do we do?
The project develops and implements specific, inclusive activities such as:
- Outdoor and nature therapies
- Sports mentoring for emotional resilience
- Digital storytelling as a tool for emotional expression
- Training for families, teachers and coaches
- Online awareness campaigns on children’s mental health
In addition, the project generates educational resources, research, digital tools and recommendations to influence public policy at local, national and European level.
Who are we targeting?
- School-age children (with special attention to vulnerable groups)
- Families and carers
- Education and sports professionals
- Psychologists and mental health experts
- Political representatives and members of the local community
European project, local impact
HMHC is being implemented in three countries: Croatia, Spain and Slovenia, through activities coordinated by the organisations IDI, Neotalentway and ŠD TEAM. Together, we work to ensure that children are heard, protected and supported from an inclusive, participatory and evidence-based perspective.
Child participation platform
The EU Children’s Participation Platform gives children and teenagers under 18 across the European Union a safe space to share their opinions on issues that affect their lives — from education and housing to online safety and mental health — so that those opinions can reach EU-level policymakers. Through meetings, surveys, workshops, panels and consultations, the Platform empowers young people to contribute meaningfully to EU decision-making and helps raise awareness about their rights as EU citizens.