MindPlay: Exploring mental health through gamification

Young people across Europe are increasingly facing mental health challenges linked to digital stress, social media pressure, and social isolation. Despite growing awareness, many youth workers report feeling unprepared to address mental health topics in a safe and constructive way, particularly in digital environments where young people spend most of their time. At the same time, gamification and digital tools offer powerful and underexplored opportunities to make sensitive conversations more accessible, engaging, and stigma-free.MindPlay responds to this gap by bringing together three youth organisations from Italy, Serbia, and Latvia to develop and share practical methods that combine mental health awareness, digital literacy, and gamification in non-formal education. 

The MindPlay Training Course is a 7-day residential activity hosted in Milo, Sicily (Italy), at the Mistero Buffo youth and cultural centre run by Circolo Arci Babilonia APS. It will bring together 21 youth workers from the three partner countries (7 per country), creating an international learning space focused on practical skill-building, peer exchange, and co-creation. A preparatory online meeting will be held two weeks before the activity to finalise the programme and align facilitators.

Objectives of the training

Equip youth workers with concrete skills to address mental health topics safely and confidently in their daily work

Introduce practical gamification methods and accessible digital tools applicable in diverse youth work contexts

Build a shared understanding of inclusive facilitation and safeguarding practices around sensitive topics

Foster transnational peer learning and exchange of good practices among youth workers from different European contexts

Prepare participants to lead local workshops and co-creation activities with young people in their home communities

Topics covered

Mental health literacy in youth work: key concepts, common challenges, and the role of youth workers

Stigma reduction and safe space creation for open conversations about well-being

Emotional resilience and peer support strategies for and with young people

Introduction to gamification in non-formal education: game design elements, motivation, and engagement

Hands-on practice with free and accessible digital tools: Padlet, Mentimeter, Canva, Google Forms, and others

Digital storytelling as a tool for youth engagement, awareness-raising, and peer communication

Designing inclusive co-creation activities adapted to diverse groups, including young people with fewer opportunities

The training is open to youth workers actively working with young people in NGOs, youth centres, schools, or community organisations. Ideal participants are those who:

Have a basic background in non-formal education but limited experience with digital tools in youth work

Want to address mental health topics with young people but feel they lack methods or confidence to do so

Are interested in gamification and creative approaches and are looking for practical guidance