The course responds to a growing demand for effective mental health support within education systems, particularly in the post-pandemic context.

Enrolling in this programme provides access to up-to-date knowledge, a wide array of resources, and collaborative international experiences that allow for practical adaptation in diverse educational settings. Participants will return with a renewed capacity to implement evidence-based practices and promote a culture of mental wellbeing in their institutions.

The course is hosted in the beautiful city of Florence and combines professional development with international networking, offering participants the opportunity to return to their institutions equipped with new competences and a forward-looking approach to education and wellbeing.

The course is designed for a broad range of professionals in the education sector, including:

Primary and secondary school teachers Vocational education and training (VET) trainers Adult education professionals University lecturers and researchers School leaders and headmasters School psychologists and education counsellors Professionals involved in inclusion and student support services

Participants completing the course will be able to:

- Understand the fundamentals of adolescent mental health and neurophysiology
Participants will explore the basics of brain development in adolescence and how it influences behaviour, emotional responses, and learning. Emphasis is placed on understanding age-specific needs to foster supportive educational environments.

- Gain knowledge of support structures and tools for early identification and intervention
The course introduces assessment tools and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) that help identify at-risk students early. Educators will learn how to apply these tools effectively within their institutional frameworks.

- Improve their ability to foster school-family collaboration
Participants will examine strategies for building constructive, ongoing communication between schools and families. The course emphasizes the benefits of shared responsibility and trust-building for student wellbeing.

- Learn how to integrate Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in the classroom
The training provides practical examples of SEL implementation, focusing on activities that promote self-awareness, empathy, and relationship skills. Educators will be equipped to adapt SEL practices to their specific contexts.

- Be equipped to address current health challenges in educational settings
Through case studies and expert input, participants will explore issues such as anxiety, eating disorders, and identity struggles. They will develop response strategies grounded in prevention, recognition, and referral.

- Develop practical strategies to support student wellbeing in a digital context
The course offers insights into the psychological impact of digital life, including social media, cyberbullying, and online identity. Educators will gain tools to support healthy digital habits and detect emerging risks.

- Enhance teamwork and cross-sector cooperation in an international learning environment
Participants will engage in group tasks and peer exchange with professionals from different educational sectors and countries. This promotes intercultural awareness and collaborative problem-solving across contexts.

Module 1 – Understanding Mental Wellbeing in Schools
• Introduction and mapping of the field
• Key definitions and terminology
• Basics of neurophysiology
• Adolescent brain development: new mindsets and emerging needs
• Key statistics, conceptual models, and emerging challenges
Practical activity: Group work to map current school initiatives supporting mental wellbeing and identify gaps.

Module 2 – Key Stakeholders: Schools and Families
• What schools can do to promote mental wellbeing
• Roles within school staff: school psychologist vs. school counselor
• Multitiered systems of support
• Assessment tools for identifying students’ needs
• Fostering school-family connectedness
• The benefits of effective communication strategies
Practical activity: Role-play simulation of a parent-teacher meeting addressing a student’s emotional concern.

Module 3 – Supporting Students
• Active listening as a starting point
• Early identification of learning disorders and special educational needs
• Enhancing students’ mental health literacy
• Implementing mindfulness-based programs
• Providing access to therapeutic resources
• Teaching psychological and cognitive-behavioral skills
• Strategies for stress management
Practical activity: Hands-on simulation to practice active listening and supportive dialogue techniques.

Module 4 – Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
• Introduction to Social and Emotional Learning
• Core SEL skills and competencies
• Practical approaches to developing SEL in students
• Contextual and cultural factors in SEL implementation
• What SEL looks like in classroom practice
• Examples of SEL activities
• SEL as a pathway to inclusivity
Practical activity: Group work to design an SEL-based lesson plan or weekly activity for classroom integration.

Module 5 – Addressing Contemporary Mental Health Challenges
• Anxiety: definitions, signs, tools, and best practices
• Panic attacks: understanding and intervention strategies
• Eating disorders: awareness and support mechanisms
• Gender identity and inclusion: signs, support, and best practices
• Suicide prevention: warning signs and intervention tools
Practical activity: Case-based discussion in small groups to identify intervention strategies for hypothetical student scenarios.

Module 6 – Mental Wellbeing in the Digital Age
• Navigating social media: identity, pressure, and reputation
• Understanding and preventing cyberbullying
• Emerging issues: online gambling, sexting, and virtual identity loss
• New phenomena: hikikomori and social withdrawal challenges
• Tools and best practices for promoting mental wellbeing in the digital landscape
Practical activity: Structured debate on the role of schools in regulating students’ digital behavior and promoting digital wellbeing.

The course applies a learning-by-doing approach, emphasising active participation, group-based learning, and hands-on experiences. All modules are paired with practical simulations or cooperative activities allowing participants to translate theoretical knowledge into usable strategies. The environment is international and collaborative, encouraging exchange of practices and mutual learning.

• Duration: 6 days (Monday to Saturday)
• Schedule: 5 hours/day
• Location: Florence, Italy

The programme also includes:

• Study visits to local schools to explore well being practices in real settings
• Meetings with Italian teachers to exchange views on common challenges
• A guided walking tour of Florence to explore the city’s rich educational and cultural heritage
• Optional cultural visits in Tuscany available on request

At the end of the course, participants will receive:

• Participation Certificate detailing the programme and outcomes achieved
• Europass Mobility Certificate (issued by Erasmus+ National Agencies) certifying the competences gained during the course

The enrollment fee to attend the International Seminar in European Project Planning is 640 euro per person*

* A 25% discount is applied to individuals enrolling in the online course and to groups of at least 6 people enrolling in the onsite course (480 Euro per person).

Choose from several packages to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable:

Single Participant in Single Room
• Half Board (7 nights + 6 buffet lunches): €1150
• Bed & Breakfast (7 nights): €1050
• Lunches only: €100

Two Participants Sharing a Double Room (per person)
• Half Board (7 nights + 6 buffet lunches): €1050
• Bed & Breakfast (7 nights): €850
• Lunches only: €100

Packages are optional and can be tailored for individuals or groups from the same institution.