Culture shock, homesickness, academic pressure. While studying abroad through Erasmus+ is often seen as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the mental health challenges that come with it are all too real, and often underestimated.
To address these overlooked issues, partners from across Europe came together this January in Brașov (Romania) for the official launch of Mobile Minds in Motion (MMM), a new EU-funded initiative led by Transilvania University of Brașov. The kick-off meeting gathered experts from Selçuk University, the University of Alcalá, the University of Porto, Vytautas Magnus University, the Erasmus Student Network, and the European University Foundation, setting the stage for a project that puts students’ mental health at its core.
About the project
The project acknowledges a hard truth: nearly half of young Europeans report unmet mental health needs (Zimmermann et al., 2024; Campbell et al., 2022; Health at a Glance, 2022). For students navigating the ups and downs of life abroad, this can mean struggling in silence.
Mobile Minds in Motion aims to change that. The project envisions a more inclusive and supportive Erasmus+ experience by promoting mental health awareness and prevention. By equipping students and staff with practical tools and knowledge, MMM hopes to better prepare them for the emotional and psychological demands of studying abroad, and to foster open conversations that break the stigma around mental health.
The project focuses on three main goals:
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Raising awareness about the mental health challenges faced by mobile students.
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Developing prevention strategies through tailored tools and resources.
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Providing lasting support with practical materials for both students and staff, including a self-assessment tool and dedicated guides for IROs and counsellors.
To achieve this, the project will conduct research, develop and test resources, run awareness campaigns, and create an online platform to build a lasting community of support.
Mental health matters, especially when you’re far from home.