Mental health training for professionals working with youth: preliminary evidence from JA MENTOR

Background

Mental health issues frequently emerge at a young age, representing a major public health challenge. Poor mental health knowledge and stigma delay early identification for intervention. Professionals working in community settings, including teachers, youth workers, and sports coaches, may be the first to notice early signs of distress; however, they often lack specific training in youth mental health.

Aim

The Task 5.2.4 of Joint Action MENTOR (n. 101162928) aims to design a European training for community workers in contact with youth, strengthening early support skills through an evidence‑based approach grounded in Mental Health Literacy and Youth Mental Health First Aid principles.

Methods

A mixed‑methods approach was adopted, combining a systematic review of quantitative studies evaluating the effectiveness of youth mental health training programmes for community workers (Prospero ID: CRD420251042922) with a survey mapping existing initiatives across Member States.

Results

The systematic review included 119 studies, mostly from non‑European countries (114/119). Training mainly targeted teachers and educators (95/119), confirming schools as a key setting for early intervention. Positive effects were reported on mental health knowledge, confidence in supportive roles, stigma reduction, and helping behaviours. The survey results (n = 22) complemented the review, highlighting valuable training initiatives in the Member States, although with uneven distribution. Key challenges included long‑term sustainability and local adaptation.

Conclusions

Overall, the findings highlight relevant but fragmented youth mental health training initiatives for community professionals across Europe. Integrating scientific evidence with real practice provides a strong foundation for the co‑design of a scalable, context‑sensitive European training programme, contributing to early prevention and mental health promotion at the population level.

Key messages

• Mapping evidence and European practice highlights the need for coordinated, EU‑level investment in youth mental health training for community professionals.

• Strengthening mental health literacy in the community can improve early identification, reduce stigma, and support prevention for youth mental health across Europe.