From March 10 to 13, the HEARTS Exchange Method Meeting brought together project partners in Lisbon to share insights and experiences from their pilot initiatives aimed at promoting mental health within higher education institutions. The event served as a platform for discussing strategies, methodologies, and best practices focused on supporting vulnerable individuals within academic communities.
During this meeting, different partners shared their initiatives to address various aspects of mental health, such as grief, loss, discrimination, and self-awareness. These included participatory methodologies that use photography to reflect on community strengths, tensions and available resources; theatres that explore social issues through performance; methods that promote self-discovery and purpose, and initiatives that create a safe space to discuss loss and grief. Mental health was also explored through initiatives that consider the use of natural spaces, and perspectives of social justice, inclusion, and well-being, raising important discussions on how to ensure long-term impact and accessibility of these interventions.
______________
About the HEARTS Project:
HEARTS (Higher Education Action Response for Trauma Support) is an Erasmus+ project (Project Number: 2023-1-ES01-KA220-HED-000158841) dedicated to developing innovative strategies for mental health promotion in higher education, with a focus on trauma prevention and support. This initiative brings together partners from across Europe, including ISOR-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain), CIS-ISCTE-Instituto Universitario de Lisboa (Portugal), CRES - Università ta’ Malta (Malta), UNICA Università Degli Studi di Cagliari (Italy), SCT COREP Consorzio per la Ricerca e l'Educazione Permanente Torino (Italy), and IUHPE (International Union for Health Promotion and Education, France).
The project’s key objectives include enhancing trauma prevention strategies, fostering inclusion for vulnerable groups (such as individuals with disabilities, migrants, and refugees), and building institutional capacity for transnational cooperation in mental health promotion. By providing training and accessible resources, HEARTS aims to create inclusive learning environments that prioritize mental health and resilience.
Comments