A 5-year European research and innovation project developing evidence-based mental health promotion models for young people in education, training, and work across Europe.
Across Europe, young people face increasing levels of stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges. Prevention efforts are often fragmented, and vulnerable youth are not always adequately included in existing frameworks.
Existing efforts are disconnected and lack systematic integration across education and employment contexts.
Young people facing socio-economic hardship, disability, migration, or gender challenges need targeted support.
Schools and workplaces lack practical, evidence-based and scalable mental health promotion instruments.
There is insufficient health-economic evidence to support sustainable, long-term implementation.
SUPPORT-Y responds to these gaps by developing and testing practical, evidence-based mental health promotion models that can be implemented in real-world educational and workplace settings across Europe.
We focus on young people in schools, vocational education, higher education, and early employment — with special attention to those facing additional vulnerabilities.
SUPPORT-Y will co-create, pilot, and evaluate two complementary intervention models — developed together with young people, educators, employers, and mental health professionals.
Digital web-based tool combined with peer-support elements
Structured, context-sensitive model for real-world settings
Our approach recognises that mental health is influenced by individual, social, and structural factors. We combine psychological, educational, digital, and economic expertise.
Working with over 250 stakeholders including young people, educators, employers, and mental health experts to ensure real-world relevance.
Testing models in diverse European contexts to ensure transferability and cultural sensitivity across different national settings.
Combining qualitative and quantitative data to generate comprehensive, robust evidence on effectiveness and acceptability.
Rigorous cost-effectiveness analysis to support policy-makers in making the case for sustainable, long-term investment.
Transparent research practices, open access to findings, and data sharing in line with European Open Science principles.
Generating actionable, policy-relevant evidence for sustainable mental health promotion at regional, national, and EU levels.
Contributing to European and global priorities on youth well-being, social inclusion, and sustainable development.
Empower young people with knowledge, skills, and confidence to understand and manage mental health challenges.
Create more open, supportive school and workplace environments where mental health is openly discussed and supported.
Equip young people with coping strategies and lower barriers to accessing professional and peer support.
Provide ready-to-use, evidence-backed tools that schools and workplaces can adopt and sustain independently.
Generate robust, health-economic evidence to inform European and national mental health policy frameworks.
Reach young people facing additional vulnerabilities — ensuring no one is left behind in mental health promotion.
SUPPORT-Y brings together 12 partners from across Europe, combining deep expertise in research, practice, and youth engagement.
The consortium unites universities, youth organisations, mental health organisations, and innovation actors from across Europe. Our partners contribute expertise across multiple disciplines to ensure SUPPORT-Y delivers high-quality, contextually relevant research and tools.
More information, updates, publications, and tools will be published here as the project progresses.