GENESIS OF THE PROJECT:

The RECOVER project was born out of an urgent and cross-cutting challenge affecting youth across Europe: the growing impact of unaddressed mental health issues—including anxiety, depression, stress, and digital burnout—on young people’s well-being, inclusion, and transition to adulthood. Informed by participatory insights gathered during previous transnational trainings, partners identified a critical gap in youth work: youth workers often lack the knowledge, tools, and confidence to recognize and respond to mental health needs among the young people they support. Moreover, digitalisation has intensified the issue. While young people are digitally native, they are increasingly overwhelmed by a constant stream of misinformation, negative self-comparisons, and emotionally manipulative content, often generated or amplified by AI. These trends contribute not only to individual distress but also to social disengagement and identity struggles, particularly among vulnerable or marginalized youth. RECOVER addresses these challenges head-on by fostering a human-centred, participatory, and inclusive youth work culture. The project equips youth workers with a Quality Mental Health First Aid Kit comprising participatory self-analysis methods, Dragon Dreaming-based co-creation processes, peer-led workshops, and practical tools for early recognition, support, and referral. It also involves young people directly in co-designing solutions, encouraging self-awareness, resilience, and peer support. By blending mental health literacy with youth empowerment and inclusive education, RECOVER not only supports prevention and reintegration, but also creates safe and constructive spaces where young people can openly address their wellbeing needs. The project promotes cross-sectoral collaboration, leverages local ecosystems, and advocates for systemic change—ensuring that youth mental health becomes a core pillar of inclusive, high-quality youth work in Europe.