In November 2023, a special Erasmus+ training course took place in Berlin, Germany, called “MindMentor: Strengthening Youth Resilience & Well-being.” Youth workers from across Europe gathered for one common goal—to learn how to better support young people in taking care of their mental health and building resilience. The project focused on important topics such as emotional support, early intervention, and the creation of safe spaces where youth can express themselves without fear. It gave participants the knowledge, tools, and confidence to return home with new ideas and stronger motivation to make a difference in their communities.
This training came at the right time for a youth worker from Bulgaria, working with young people in Sevlievo Municipality. In the months before the training, many young people in the area were showing signs of emotional stress. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still present, and youth were trying to find their place again—in school, in their social groups, and in life in general. Many students felt tired, anxious, or disconnected. Although Sevlievo is a town with active sports clubs and youth activities, not all young people felt welcome or able to participate. For some, the pressure to perform at school or in sports competitions made them feel worse, not better. For others, talking about mental health was simply not accepted, especially among boys or youth from more traditional families.
In Bulgaria, discussions around mental health have become more common in recent years, but there is still a long way to go. Mental health support in schools is often limited. Teachers and youth workers try to help, but they do not always have the tools. Many young people do not know how to speak about their feelings or ask for help. At the same time, physical health and sports are very important in local communities. There are football teams, dance clubs, and martial arts classes that many young people enjoy. However, the connection between mental health and physical activity is not often made. The idea that sport can be a space not only for fitness but also for emotional well-being was still new for many youth workers in the region.
The experience in Berlin changed that. The training introduced the idea that sport and mental health are deeply connected. In one of the workshops, youth workers explored how regular movement, team games, and outdoor activities can help reduce stress and increase emotional resilience. Physical activity helps the body and also calms the mind. The trainers also showed how to create supportive environments within sports settings. It is not only about winning games or reaching goals. It is about feeling safe, accepted, and supported—whether someone is fast or slow, experienced or just starting.
One visit to a Berlin youth sports center was especially eye-opening. The center offered free sports programs to teenagers from all backgrounds. They had basketball, climbing, dance, and group fitness activities. But what made it special was the atmosphere. Coaches and youth workers worked together. They always listened to the youth, asked how they felt, and helped them deal with emotions. There were posters on the walls about mental health, group circles before games, and rules about respect and communication. The environment showed that every person mattered. Youth were not judged by their performance but appreciated for their effort and growth. This combination of movement and emotional safety was something the participant from Bulgaria had not seen before.
Inspired by this, the youth worker from Sevlievo returned home with a new idea. Together with the local municipality and sports trainers, they decided to create a new program called “Move to Feel Better.” The aim was to bring physical activity and mental well-being together in one program, focused on young people aged 13 to 18. The project included weekly group activities where sports and emotional check-ins were combined. At the beginning of each session, the group would sit in a circle and talk about their week. They used small tools from the Berlin training like emotion cards and mood meters. After the talk, they would move to physical games—fun, non-competitive, and inclusive activities that helped everyone participate.
The sessions took place in school gyms and outdoor parks. Some trainers were from sports clubs, and some were youth workers trained in the MindMentor approach. The sessions included breathing exercises, teamwork games, and body awareness activities. Each session ended with a moment of reflection. The focus was not on performance but on connection—between the youth, between the mind and body, and between emotions and actions.
At first, some young people found it strange to talk about emotions before playing. But slowly, they started to enjoy it. They saw that their feelings mattered and that they were not alone. The sessions created a new kind of space—active, friendly, and safe. Some young people who had never joined a sports club before felt comfortable enough to participate. Others who were always focused on winning started to open up more and support their teammates in different ways.
The impact of the “Move to Feel Better” project grew with each session. Parents reported that their children seemed more relaxed and positive. Teachers noticed more focus in class. The young participants started using some of the relaxation techniques at home or during exams. One school even asked to include the program as part of their weekly activities. The local municipality offered additional space and support for the program, showing that decision-makers also recognized the value of linking sport with mental well-being.
This project also inspired new partnerships. Local psychologists joined to offer workshops for trainers and youth workers. A dance studio offered its space for free on weekends. Even older youth, who had once been shy or closed off, volunteered to help run the sessions. The energy around the project showed that when youth feel supported in both body and mind, they grow stronger in all areas of life.
The training in Berlin gave more than just ideas. It gave belief. It showed that even small towns like Sevlievo can lead big changes when they care for their youth. It proved that empowerment starts when young people feel seen and safe. It reminded youth workers that physical activity can be a tool not just for fitness, but for healing, strength, and community building.
Looking ahead, the goal is to keep expanding the “Move to Feel Better” program and train more youth workers in the same approach. The dream is to create a regional network where sport is used as a door to well-being and inclusion. The MindMentor experience made this vision possible. It gave the knowledge and motivation to act and reminded everyone that change begins with connection. A football match, a breathing exercise, or a circle of open words can be the first step to a healthier and stronger future.
In today’s world, young people face many challenges. But they also have great strength. When given the right tools and spaces, they can grow into healthy, confident, and caring individuals. Projects like MindMentor light the way for that growth—through learning, sharing, and believing in youth potential. For the youth worker from Bulgaria, the journey continues, but with a clearer purpose: to build a community where every young person moves, feels, and grows—together.