As the follow-up to our “Youth Taking Action” mobility in Bucharest, the two-day Study Visit in Lugo during December of 2024, brought together 8 participants from each country (Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, and Spain) to delve deeper into school-based mental health strategies in northern Spain. The goal was to observe best practices and adapt them into each country’s Action Plans for local schools.
They visited the high school San Xillao in Lugo, where they discovered how a dedicated wellness teacher and a guidance counselor work alongside an elected student council to put mental health at the heart of school life. Students can anonymously report bullying via bright orange inboxes, and anyone flagged as at-risk is accompanied by a teacher for safety and referred, when needed, to free public therapy. Rather than punishment, the school favors prevention: group therapy, art, and sports workshops, and creative “safe-space” activities (from extended library hours to video-game sessions) help students build resilience. Staff well-being is also championed through mindfulness, yoga, and ongoing training in trauma, diversity, and inclusive practices.
At CIFP Politécnico in Lugo, participants explored the “Youth Aware of Mental Health” (YAM) program—five immersive sessions over three weeks led by psychology-trained instructors that offer a confidential, judgment-free space for students to tackle topics like depression, stress, moral dilemmas, and even dramatized suicide attempts. The school also prioritizes well-being through thoughtfully designed communal areas (cafeteria, library, hallway seating) and a mandatory “Health and Family Interventions” course. Its leadership also fosters a culture of openness, encouraging students to raise concerns directly with teachers, tutors, or administrators.