Keep Calm and Fight Depression Successfully Concluded: Young People United to Promote Mental Health Awareness

The Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project "Keep Calm and Fight Depression" (Project No: 2023-1-AT01-KA152-YOU-000140024), coordinated by FI Gesundheits- und Sportverein, was successfully completed in Klagenfurt, Austria, from 16 to 23 December 2023. Bringing together 60 young participants from Austria, Türkiye, Bulgaria, Romania, Portugal, and Spain, the project aimed to raise awareness about the unconscious use of antidepressants, promote healthy non-pharmacological approaches to coping with depression, and strengthen young people's understanding of mental well-being.

During the final days of the project, participants completed the awareness-raising short films they had been developing throughout the exchange, transforming the knowledge and experiences they had gained into creative educational content. The filmmaking process provided valuable experience in scriptwriting, production planning, teamwork, coordination, and international collaboration while encouraging participants to communicate important messages about mental health through creative media.

The programme also included visits to local stakeholder organizations working in the fields of mental health, youth work, and social support. These visits gave participants the opportunity to learn about different approaches to supporting young people's well-being, exchange good practices, and gain insight into how organizations in different countries address mental health challenges. The experience further highlighted the importance of international cooperation and cross-sector collaboration.

During the final reflection and evaluation sessions, participants shared the knowledge, skills, and personal experiences they had gained throughout the week. They emphasized the importance of social support, art, sports, volunteering, communication, and active lifestyles as valuable tools for maintaining good mental health and coping with emotional challenges. The evaluations demonstrated that the project had successfully achieved its objectives while increasing participants' awareness of responsible antidepressant use and healthy coping strategies.

The project concluded with the Youthpass Certificate Ceremony, where participants received certificates recognizing the competences they had developed throughout the exchange. In addition to completing an international Erasmus+ experience, they officially documented their achievements in communication, teamwork, intercultural learning, problem-solving, creativity, and active citizenship.

By the end of "Keep Calm and Fight Depression," participants had gained not only greater awareness of mental health but also practical tools for building resilience and supporting others within their communities. The project demonstrated that protecting mental well-being extends beyond medical treatment and can be strengthened through self-awareness, meaningful social relationships, creativity, cultural exchange, and active participation in society. The international friendships established and the experiences shared throughout the project will remain valuable long-term outcomes for everyone involved.