The Art-Well project, coordinated by INspire z.s. and supported under the Erasmus+ programme (KA220-YOU), addresses one of the most pressing issues affecting young people today: the lack of mental health education, high levels of stress, and persistent societal stigma surrounding mental illness. Across partner countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ukraine, and Austria, young people struggle to ask for help, often avoid stressful situations, and rarely seek professional psychological support. In fact, only 6% choose professional help, while most try to manage difficulties alone or rely on friends. In parallel, stigma remains deeply rooted, with mental health often viewed as a weakness, leading to social rejection or professional consequences.
Drawing from research and youth surveys, the Art-Well project identifies several key needs among young people: a safe and supportive community, improved emotional resilience, accessible education on mental health, meaningful alone time, and more opportunities for physical activity and time spent in nature. Respondents also emphasized the importance of advice from professionals and mentors, revealing a strong desire for structured, informed guidance.
In response, the project introduces an innovative, holistic approach to well-being based on the interconnectedness of four “bodies”:
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Physical body – focusing on healthy routines, movement, exercise, and diet.
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Mental body – addressing mental health knowledge, critical thinking, and intellectual stimulation.
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Emotional body – strengthening emotional intelligence through recognizing, labeling, and expressing feelings.
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Spiritual body – encouraging meaningful living aligned with personal values, dreams, and life goals.
Using art as a healing tool, Art-Well engages youth through multiple creative forms to foster self-expression, emotional regulation, and community belonging. Each partner country focuses on different artistic disciplines:
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Austria: graffiti, fashion, slam poetry, and sculpting
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Czech Republic: storytelling, theatre, body movement, and photography
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Hungary: poetry, painting, digital art, and collage
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Ukraine: writing, singing, drawing, and performance
The project directly addresses two main youth target groups:
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Marginalised young people, often at risk of exclusion or with fewer opportunities
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Youth aged 16–30 in general, particularly those in need of mental health support
It also engages additional target audiences to broaden its impact:
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The general public, with anti-stigma campaigns, living libraries, and awareness events
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Educators and artists, trained in best practices and equipped with a developed methodology
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Stakeholders and youth organizations, for dissemination and knowledge exchange
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Partner organisations involved in strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation
The objectives of the project are both practical and systemic. They include:
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Developing strong, sustainable partnerships
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Conducting a descriptive analysis of the needs of marginalised youth
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Exchanging good practices in art-based engagement
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Supporting self-expression, self-care, and education on mental health
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Fighting stigma and promoting understanding across society
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Training youth workers and educators to address mental health topics
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Sharing results broadly to amplify impact and ensure sustainability
A comprehensive set of activities supports these goals, including:
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Project planning and analysis (kick-off, interviews, focus groups, national and international reports)
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Implementation (creative workshops, youth mobilities, and national campaigns)
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Output development and dissemination (handbook, videos, landing page, multiplier events)
The expected results reflect the project’s multi-layered strategy:
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Robust project management and reporting
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In-depth analysis through interviews, 12 focus groups, national and international reports
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Direct engagement of 80 young people in art-based activities, with 80+ artworks published and 800+ people reached
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Training of 24 youth workers, impacting over 120 additional youth and disseminating the method to 100+ professionals
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Outreach strategy including 96 social media posts, an educational video (1,000+ viewers), a dedicated landing page (300+ views), and engagement of 100+ stakeholders
Ultimately, Art-Well represents a long-term investment in shifting both individual mindsets and societal attitudes. By leveraging the transformative power of art, the project creates not only a safe space for vulnerable youth but also ripples of awareness that challenge harmful stereotypes and encourage more compassionate, informed dialogue about mental health.