How can teachers better recognise, understand and respond to students’ mental health needs?💡
This was the central question behind the YoungMinds national training sessions held in Greece, where teachers came together to explore practical ways of promoting mental wellbeing in the classroom.
Between 26 January and 21 April, 12 teachers from four schools in the Piraeus area took part in the Greek national training, hosted by EPAL Korydallou. The sessions supported teachers in using the YoungMinds approach, booklet and handbook, while preparing them for the pilot implementation in their own school contexts.
The training covered the four YoungMinds modules through four national sessions, combining reflection, discussion and hands-on activities. Teachers explored key topics such as mental health, stigma and discrimination, emotional and behavioural warning signs, and how to provide appropriate support to students. Creative activities linked to photography and filmmaking also encouraged participants to think about how mental health awareness can be promoted in engaging and accessible ways.
A strong focus was placed on practice. Teachers worked on adapting lesson plans to their students’ needs, developing classroom action plans and reflecting on real-life situations they may face in schools. This helped connect the YoungMinds resources with everyday teaching challenges and with the wider goal of creating safer, more inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Participants responded very positively to the training, highlighting its practical value, clear structure and relevance to their professional role. They particularly appreciated the opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss concrete classroom situations and gain useful strategies to support students’ wellbeing.
The Greek national sessions marked an important step in empowering teachers as key actors in mental health promotion, helping them to recognise when to act, how to respond and where to seek further support.
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