TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for PANAGIOTIS KALAITZIS
-Raise awareness about mental health and emotional well-being among young people aged 12–18.
-Encourage open dialogue and reduce the stigma around mental health issues.
-Equip participants with practical tools for stress management, emotional resilience, and self-care.
-Promote intercultural learning and solidarity among youth from different countries through shared experiences.
-Explore the impact of social media on mental health and build critical digital literacy.
-Reconnect young people with nature and physical activity as tools for well-being.
-Foster inclusive participation and a sense of belonging through non-formal, experiential learning.
-Empower youth to become peer multipliers who promote mental health awareness in their local communities.
The training activity brought together young participants aged 12–18 from four countries: Armenia, Georgia, Denmark, and Greece. The target group consisted of teenagers with diverse cultural and social backgrounds, some of whom were participating in an international mobility project for the first time. The group engaged in non-formal learning activities designed to promote mental health awareness, intercultural dialogue, and active participation.
The training was based on non-formal education methods, fostering experiential, participatory, and inclusive learning. We used a variety of tools from SALTO and Council of Europe manuals, such as “Take a Step Forward” to explore privilege and empathy, the “Worry Tree” to discuss coping mechanisms and stress, and the “Chahal v. UK” case to address human rights and mental health. Activities included simulation games (e.g., survival scenario in a boat), group reflections (blob tree), creative media production (vlogs and campaigns on social media standards), outdoor physical challenges (like a Survivor-style team competition), and peer-to-peer sharing circles. These methods allowed participants to engage emotionally, critically, and practically with the topic of mental health while promoting inclusion, teamwork, and intercultural learning.
The activity raised awareness about mental health and well-being among young people aged 12–18 from Armenia, Georgia, Denmark, and Greece. Through interactive non-formal learning methods, participants developed emotional resilience, critical thinking, and empathy, while also building intercultural understanding. The high level of engagement during activities such as simulations, outdoor challenges, and media campaigns reflected the participants’ motivation and growth. Feedback from the group, along with their creative outputs, such as awareness videos and vlogs served as strong indicators of impact. The project was documented and shared through social media platforms, including a public testimonial from a participant on the Creative Youth NGO Facebook page, further demonstrating the success and outreach of the exchange.
I worked as a full-time trainer, involved in the preparation, implementation, and follow-up of the youth exchange. My responsibilities included co-designing the educational program, leading sessions on mental health, social media awareness, and team-building, and adapting non-formal methods to suit the age group (12–18). I facilitated group reflections, managed intercultural group dynamics, and supported participants in creating peer-led campaigns and vlogs. I was also responsible for integrating tools from SALTO and the Council of Europe into the methodology and ensuring that the learning environment remained inclusive, safe, and empowering throughout the project.