Unmasking Emotions Project Successfully Concludes: Young People Return Home with Greater Awareness and Stronger Emotional Resilience

The Erasmus+ KA152 Youth Exchange project "Unmasking Emotions" (Project No. 2025-3-ES02-KA152-YOU-000385559), coordinated by Generaciones Saludables España, has successfully concluded in Madrid, Spain after bringing together young people from Spain, Türkiye, Italy, Hungary, and Georgia for an inspiring week of learning, intercultural exchange, and personal growth focused on mental health and emotional well-being.

The final day was dedicated to reflecting on the learning journey and celebrating the achievements of all participants. Through the "Project Puzzle – A Piece of You" activity, each participant designed a unique puzzle piece representing their personal experiences and emotions throughout the project. When combined, these individual pieces formed a single artwork, symbolizing unity, cooperation, and the idea that every participant played an essential role in the project's success.

Participants also took part in the "I Discover Myself with Youthpass" session, where they reflected on the knowledge, skills, and competences they had developed during the exchange. By completing their Youthpass certificates, they documented not only what they had learned but also how the project contributed to their personal, social, and professional development.

During the "Reflections Workshop: I Remember, I Share, I Learnt," young people evaluated the entire project, shared their most memorable moments, highlighted their favourite activities, and reflected on how their perspectives on mental health had changed. Their feedback demonstrated increased emotional awareness, stronger self-confidence, improved communication skills, and a greater willingness to discuss mental health openly.

The programme also included a study visit to a mental health rehabilitation centre in Madrid, where participants had the opportunity to learn about professional support services, rehabilitation practices, and mental health care approaches in Spain. By exchanging ideas with professionals and comparing practices with those in their own countries, participants gained valuable insights into international approaches to mental well-being.

To conclude the mobility, participants explored the cultural and historical landmarks of Madrid during the "Discover Madrid" city tour. Visiting some of the city's most iconic locations allowed them to strengthen friendships, celebrate their intercultural journey, and create lasting memories together before returning home.

Throughout the week, participants developed emotional resilience, empathy, communication, teamwork, and intercultural understanding through non-formal education, creative workshops, role-playing activities, artistic expression, and peer learning. Beyond gaining knowledge about mental health, they learned to recognize and express emotions, challenge stigma, support one another, and promote well-being within their communities.

As the Unmasking Emotions project comes to an end, its impact continues beyond Madrid. Equipped with new skills, meaningful international friendships, and a deeper understanding of mental health, the participants return to their countries ready to share what they have learned and inspire positive change within their local communities. The project stands as another successful example of how Erasmus+ empowers young people to build healthier, more inclusive, and emotionally resilient societies across Europe.