Beyond the Mask: Young People Learn to Support, Express, and Inspire

The fourth day of the Erasmus+ KA152 Youth Exchange project "Unmasking Emotions" (Project No. 2025-3-ES02-KA152-YOU-000385559), coordinated by Generaciones Saludables España, continued in Madrid, Spain, with activities that encouraged participants to transform emotional awareness into practical skills. Bringing together young people from Spain, Türkiye, Italy, Hungary, and Georgia, the project focused on empathy, psychological first aid, creative self-expression, and social awareness.

The day began with the energetic "Imaginary Microphone" activity, where participants stepped out of their comfort zones by singing, speaking, dancing, or sharing short messages in front of the group. Filled with laughter and encouragement, the session helped strengthen self-confidence, improve public speaking skills, and create a positive atmosphere that energized participants for the day's learning journey.

The programme then continued with the "Psychological First Aid Role-Play Workshop," one of the project's most practical learning experiences. Through realistic scenarios involving anxiety, stress, and emotional crises, participants took turns acting as individuals seeking support, psychological first aid providers, and observers. By experiencing different perspectives, they developed empathy, active listening skills, and a deeper understanding of how to provide appropriate support during difficult situations.

In the afternoon, participants explored their inner worlds through the creative "Me Behind the Mask" workshop. Using art as a tool for emotional expression, they designed masks representing the difference between how they present themselves to the outside world and the emotions they often keep hidden. The activity encouraged honest self-reflection, emotional awareness, and meaningful conversations, while the exhibition of the completed masks created a powerful visual representation of the project's mental health theme.

The day concluded with the inspiring "My Soul in 1 Minute" Video Message Campaign, where participants recorded short personal videos sharing their thoughts on mental health, emotional resilience, and supporting others. Through these creative messages, they transformed their personal experiences into powerful awareness content designed for social media, helping spread positive messages far beyond the project itself.

As every evening, participants reflected on the day's achievements during the "Feedback Dice" session before project leaders met to evaluate the programme and prepare for the final day of activities.

By combining practical learning, artistic expression, and digital storytelling, Unmasking Emotions continued to empower young people with the confidence, empathy, and communication skills needed to promote mental well-being within their communities. The fourth day demonstrated that emotional awareness becomes truly meaningful when it is transformed into understanding, support, and action.