K.A.NE. Social Youth Development had the wonderful opportunity to send 3 participants to the The Playfield Project – Training Youth Workers for Mental Health Support, a training course for youth workers implemented in the framework of the ERASMUS+ programme, in Zadar, Croatia from the 28th of September to the 4th of October 2025. 24 participants from 8 different countries, Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece, Czech Republic, Serbia, Albania, Malta, and Spain, participated in this special training course. The project was organized by our long-term partner Europe House Slavonski Brod.
During six days of workshops, discussions and practice, participants explored different aspects of mental health in youth work — from understanding what mental health really means, to recognising early warning signs and learning how to react when someone is struggling. They practised first-line support, talked about how to guide young people towards professional help, and reflected on what it means to truly listen and offer support without judgment.
The participants came back with the toolboxes full of new tools and methods that they can use to support the people they are working with in their day-to-day work!
And they did not keep it to themselves… They organized a workshop to present this project and their learning outcomes to their colleagues!
Here is what they said about their experience:
Learning and Connection in Zadar: A Mental Health Training Course
The historic city of Zadar, Croatia, provided the venue for a focused mental health training course that took place in October 2025. This intensive program brought together a representative group of 25 professionals from seven different countries. Our shared purpose was straightforward: to systematically enhance their professional capabilities in mental health support, advocacy strategies, and structured self-care techniques. The setting was functional, and the group maintained a professional, purposeful atmosphere throughout the duration of the course.
Course Content and Methodologies
The curriculum was structured to be both comprehensive and skill-based, focusing on practical application over purely academic discussion. Daily sessions incorporated a variety of established professional methodologies. These included structured group discussions on methods for effectively addressing stigma, and practical, skills-based workshops covering the application of emotional first aid. A core component involved instruction in cognitive reframing techniques, providing participants with tools to analyze and modify counterproductive thought patterns. The use of case studies and focused role-playing ensured that attendees left with demonstrable, applied professional skills.
Foundational Concepts and Professional Self-Care
A critical focus area was the professional concept of psychological safety and its measurable role in fostering resilience within support settings. The training emphasized that creating environments free of professional judgment is the basis for effective mental health support. Furthermore, the course incorporated an important module on professional self-care, establishing the principle that maintaining one’s own mental well-being is a necessary, non-negotiable component for ensuring long-term, sustainable engagement in advocacy and support roles.
Networking and Collaborative Exchange
While the primary focus was professional learning, the project facilitated important opportunities for networking and collaborative exchange. The group comprised individuals who maintained high levels of professionalism and collegiality. Evenings provided time for structured social engagement, allowing participants to explore Zadar’s historical sites and share meals. These planned interactions were effective in establishing a cross-border professional network—a valuable resource for future collaboration and peer support across the various participating countries.
Conclusion and Practical Outcomes
The mental health training course in Croatia was a successful professional development initiative. Participants completed the program equipped with practical tools, including enhanced skills in areas such as motivational interviewing, and gained an expanded international network of professional peers. The project demonstrated that concentrated professional growth is best achieved in a supportive, focused environment where structured learning is balanced with necessary peer-to-peer collaboration, leading to a measurable enhancement in professional capacity within the mental health field.
Disclaimer:
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
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