Harnessing Digital and AI Tools for the Mental Health of Youth

The focus of the HEARTS project is on creating a comprehensive training program for youth workers to use digital and AI tools to support young individuals' mental well-being. The purpose of the project is to achieve goals related to the adoption and application of digital and AI tools by youth workers in their practices, which will create better visibility, accessibility and reach of digital tools for mental health preservation and ultimately lead to progress and innovation in youth work.

The outcomes of the project include the adoption of digital and AI tools by youth workers for enhanced mental health support, increased availability of mental health resources through digital channels, progress in youth work practices through technology integration, and the creation of an e-book for youth workers to improve mental health using digital tools.

Objectives:

Equipping youth workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively use digital and AI tools in their work with youth
Increasing awareness on mental health among youth
Improving accessibility, visibility and reach of mental health resources for young people through digital platforms
Progress in the field of youth work by fostering innovation through the implementation of digital tools and solutions

Activities & results

Survey with young people
Transnational project meeting in Pozarevac, Serbia
Training for youth workers in Staro Petrovo Selo, Croatia

E-book for youth workers on AI and youth mental health
Workshops for young people & for teachers and pupils
Local promotional events & final webinar

Training for youth workers

3-8 November 2025

Nova Gradiska, Croatia

The training focused on the responsible use of digital and AI-based tools in supporting mental health. Rather than providing ready-made solutions, it offered participants the opportunity to explore the potential and limitations of these tools through their own direct experience.

The programme was built on experiential learning, collective thinking and reflection. Youth workers tested a range of applications and, through guided group discussions, examined their ethical implications, boundaries and practical relevance. Particular emphasis was placed on emotional safety, voluntary participation and responsible facilitation.

The aim of the training was to strengthen youth workers’ confidence in using digital tools in a conscious and critical way, aligned with the values of youth work, while fostering meaningful dialogue with young people around mental health.

Youth workshops

February-March 2025

The workshops aimed at supporting young people in developing a more conscious and critical approach to digital and AI-based tools, particularly in relation to mental health. During the sessions, participants explored different applications while reflecting on their impact through their own experiences.

The workshops were based on non-formal learning methods, combining interactive activities, small-group discussions and guided reflection. Young people not only learned how the tools function, but also engaged in collective thinking about their benefits, risks and ethical implications.

Emotional safety and voluntary participation were central throughout the workshops. Rather than providing solutions, the sessions created space for dialogue, strengthened self-awareness and supported the development of a responsible and balanced digital engagement.