💡How to Talk About Mental Health in Schools in Zadar

On Saturday, 14 March 2026, PGŠ in Zadar became a hub of creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. The second national training session for the YoungMinds Erasmus+ project brought together passionate teachers and facilitators from Petit Philosophy, all united by a common goal: to prepare for the next step in integrating mental health workshops into real classrooms.

The session was co-led by two teachers from PGŠ Zadar and two facilitators from Petit Philosophy, blending practical classroom experience with the overarching vision of the project. From the start, the environment was anything but conventional—this was not a lecture, but a hands-on, interactive workshop where everyone had a voice.

The morning kicked off planning. Teacher worked together to create action plans, focusing on how to implement mental health workshops on their own schools. They explored their goals, lesson plans, and how to best present and integrate these workshops into their unique school environments. A key part of the day was dedicated to the “How to make a short film?“ workshop – an exciting way to merge creativity with crucial discussions around mental health.

As the day unfolded, the focus shifted to practice. Teachers became facilitators and delivered mock lessons, while their colleagues stepped into the role of students. But this wasn’t just a rehearsal—it was a chance for teachers to adapt lesson plans, share real-life experiences, and even create additional materials to enhance their lessons.

The main takeaway was clear: the aim wasn’t to follow a script, but to build a classroom environment where students feel safe to think, question, and reflect. The atmosphere was open, authentic, and grounded in real-world scenarios.

After each lesson, the group gathered for discussion. These moments often ran longer than planned—not because of poor time management, but because the conversations were so rich. Teachers shared insights, discussed what worked, what felt uncertain, and how they could envision these activities in their own classrooms.

One of the most powerful themes of the day was how to approach mental health in the classroom. Teachers weren’t looking for easy answers; they were diving deep into “what if” scenarios, sharing personal experiences, and imagining how to approach this sensitive topic with care and responsibility. The discussions reflected both the challenge and the commitment involved in tackling mental health with thoughtfulness and compassion.

By the end of the session, it wasn’t just about the knowledge gained—it was about the way it was shared. Teachers learned from each other, facilitators learned from the teachers, and the lesson plans themselves evolved through this collaborative process.

The session in Zadar wasn’t just another project milestone—it was a turning point where ideas were tested, doubts were voiced, and confidence in approaching mental health in schools truly began to take shape.