DIGI-MENTAL: Empowering Youth Workers with Digital Tools for Mental Wellbeing

The European project DIGI-MENTAL aims to equip youth workers with innovative and inclusive Virtual Reality (VR)-based digital tools to enhance the mental well-being of young people across Europe. DIGI-MENTAL responds to the growing need for modern and engaging methods in youth work, particularly in addressing stress, anxiety, social isolation and emotional regulation through immersive technologies.

Among the main outcomes already taking shape is the co-development of a set of three VR tools tailored to improve emotional health, foster resilience and support social inclusion among youth. Following an Innovation Lab in Italy that brought together 12 experts from all partner countries, these tools are now being designed and developed based on the needs identified, for integration into non-formal education practices. Complementing these tools, DIGI-MENTAL is also building an e-learning platform ensuring youth workers will be fully trained to implement VR in their daily work with young people.

Throughout its implementation so far, DIGI-MENTAL is fostering meaningful collaboration between youth organisations, digital innovators and mental health experts, through a kick-off meeting, regular coordination meetings, focus groups that involved more than 100 young people and virtual hackathons that were the foundation for the integration of cutting-edge technologies in youth work. The use of immersive VR experiences continues to show its potential to transform how young people access mental health support.

By bridging the gap between technology and youth mental health, DIGI-MENTAL is positioning itself at the forefront of digital transformation in youth work. Through its dissemination strategy and ongoing social media campaign, the project is already supporting youth workers in their professional development, while contributing to building more inclusive, empathetic and resilient communities across Europe.