Project Background
The ConnecTEEN project is a transnational cooperation initiative funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, focused on strengthening the mental health support systems within Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions across Europe.
Project Background
ConnecTEEN: Enhancing Student Well-being in VET:
The ConnecTEEN project is a transnational cooperation initiative funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, focused on strengthening the mental health support systems within Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions across Europe.Our mission is to create a more supportive and resilient educational environment where VET students can thrive, both personally and academically, by prioritizing their mental health and well-being.
The Challenge We Address:
VET students often navigate a complex transition, balancing intensive academic demands with practical training, which can lead to unique stress factors and mental health challenges. Too often, VET institutions lack the specialized tools and training necessary to proactively identify and effectively intervene when a student is at risk of a mental health crisis. This gap contributes to low student retention rates and negatively impacts overall academic performance.
Expected Outputs
The ConnecTEEN project is designed to deliver two main Intellectual Outputs (IOs), which form the core of the ConnecTEEN Toolkit for VET institutions:
The ConnecTEEN Online Well-being Measurement Tool (WP2)This tool is a specialized, online resource developed specifically for the VET community to take a proactive stance on student mental health.
- Purpose: To enable the early identification and systematic monitoring of mental health issues, potential crises, and well-being levels among students.
- Format: An anonymous online survey tailored to adolescents and young adults aged 15-22 in VET settings.
- Function: The tool’s digital platform provides VET professionals with valuable data and insights to facilitate targeted, timely interventions and support measures.
The ConnecTEEN Community-Based Crisis Intervention Program (WP3)
This program provides the intervention framework necessary to respond effectively once students at risk have been identified.Community Focus: The program trains VET professionals and empowers students to become Student Well-being Ambassadors, creating a supportive peer network to respond to crises and foster a culture of empathy and inclusivity within the school.
Program Content: An innovative, intensive 8-week program aimed at enhancing resilience, self-strength development, and promoting emotional support among students.
Digital Platform: The program and all its materials are hosted on a user-friendly web portal that will be openly accessible and translated into six languages (EN, ES, PL, NO, CZ, LT).
Expected impact
By equipping VET institutions with these practical tools and training programs, ConnecTEEN will:
Improve Student Well-being:
Enhance students’ psychological health, sense of belonging, and overall quality of life.
Boost Retention: Contribute to higher completion rates and better academic outcomes.
Establish a Sustainable Support Model: Create a tested framework that can be adopted by VET centers across Europe, ensuring a lasting positive legacy for future students.
Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
