On the 10th of April 2026, the Projects Department of Mobility Friends organised and delivered a Workshop on Mental Health at EPE (Escola Profissional de Esposende), bringing together teaching and non-teaching staff from the VET sector. The workshop was developed within the framework of the HeWe: Health and Wellbeing – Building Resilience and Mental Health Awareness Among Students (2025-1-PT01-KA210-VET-000349428) project and focused on promoting greater awareness of mental health and well-being in vocational education and training.
The main objective of the session was to gather participants’ perceptions and experiences related to mental health in VET contexts, while also identifying the key needs and challenges faced by educators and learners. At the same time, the workshop aimed to introduce practical tools and strategies to support students’ emotional well-being and to foster more inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Workshop “Why Mental Health Matters?”
The session began with an overview of the HeWe project, including its objectives, target groups and main activities. This initial stage helped to contextualise the workshop and align participants’ expectations.
This was followed by a presentation of the Mental Health and Resilience Framework. Key concepts such as stress, anxiety, resilience and coping were introduced, with particular emphasis on recognising risk factors within the VET context. The session also highlighted the importance of peer support, assertive communication and active listening as essential tools for both educators and students.
Topics explored included common emotional difficulties observed among students, frequent signs of stress, and emotionally challenging situations encountered in the classroom. This interactive exchange enabled the sharing of good practice and highlighted common challenges across different contexts.
The session concluded with a final reflection on the crucial role of educators in promoting students’ mental health and well-being. Participants were invited to share feedback and raise questions, contributing to a constructive closing discussion. Overall, the workshop provided a valuable space for dialogue, learning and collaboration, reinforcing the importance of integrating mental health awareness into VET settings.
