As part of the project’s evaluation process, a survey was conducted among participating students to assess their levels of wellbeing, emotional resilience, and social connectedness. The survey explored key aspects such as energy levels, stress, relationships, confidence, and happiness.

This publication presents the results and analysis of that survey, offering valuable insights into how students feel, what supports their mental health, and where additional encouragement may be needed.

The findings presented here aim to guide educators in understanding the current state of student wellbeing and to inspire schools to integrate mental health education into everyday practice.

By listening to students’ voices, Healthy Minds, Happy Students seeks to remind us all that nurturing the mind is just as important as nurturing the body—and that every child deserves to learn, grow, and thrive in a safe and supportive environment.

Methodology

The primary aim of the survey was to gain insight into students’ perceptions, habits, and feelings related to their mental health in order to guide further project activities and interventions.

The research was carried out in October 2025 and involved students from several European partner schools participating in the project. A quantitative approach was used, supported by a short online questionnaire created with Google Forms. The survey included thirteen closed-ended questions covering topics such as energy levels, stress, emotional expression, sleep quality, self-esteem, relationships, and sense of belonging at school.

A total of 162 students participated in the survey. Responses were collected anonymously to ensure honesty and confidentiality. The data were analyzed descriptively, focusing on both numerical (counts and percentages) and interpretative (qualitative) aspects. The qualitative interpretation aimed to connect the findings with relevant international frameworks, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on mental health promotion in schools and the OECD Learning Compass 2030, which emphasizes student well-being and emotional literacy as key life competencies.

The survey served not only as a diagnostic tool but also as a starting point for reflection among teachers and students. Based on the results, specific project activities were planned and adapted to address identified needs, such as stress management, emotional awareness, social connectedness, and resilience building.

This mixed-method approach allowed for a deeper understanding of students’ emotional experiences while linking them to practical, classroom-based strategies for supporting mental health and creating a positive school climate.

The publication is possible to find on the link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG25KDYu64/Ie1ylmfoLnXVSF2KHfkAGw/view?utm_content=DAG25KDYu64&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h96d414a4fa

This publication is made by teacher Željka Hutinski, III. osnovna škola Varaždin

All teachers involved in the project collaboratively worked on a shared presentation entitled “Stress and How to Cope With It.” The presentation was created as a joint product, with partners contributing ideas, content, and resources to ensure that the material was engaging, age-appropriate, and useful for students.

After completing the presentation, we implemented it in our classrooms to help students better understand what stress is, what causes it, and how it can affect both the body and the mind. Through guided discussion and interactive tasks, students learned about practical and healthy coping strategies, such as breathing techniques, time management, taking breaks, positive thinking, physical activity, and asking for help when needed.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAG7OM7gg5Y/lpVbNexMUkfw0TbTNYoNjA/view?utm_content=DAG7OM7gg5Y&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h0dd8e2adf8

In addition to using the presentation during lessons, each teacher prepared supporting materials connected to the topic, such as worksheets, small classroom games, quizzes, reflection tasks, and other follow-up activities. These materials helped students practise the new vocabulary, reflect on their own experiences, and apply stress-management strategies in real-life situations.

Goals:

The main goals of this activity were to:

• raise students’ awareness of stress and its impact on mental health and well-being,

• encourage students to recognise stress triggers and symptoms,

• teach students simple, effective coping strategies they can use at school and at home,

• promote a positive and supportive classroom atmosphere,

• develop students’ communication skills by sharing opinions and experiences,

• strengthen international collaboration between partner teachers through joint work on a common product.

Welcome to our collaborative e-book Our Stress Stories, created within our eTwinning project as a shared digital space where students expressed their thoughts and experiences related to stress in everyday life.

Students from partner schools wrote short stories about real-life stressful situations such as exams, friendship problems, fears, or peer pressure. Each school worked on a specific story topic, describing the situation and showing healthy ways to solve it. The stories were then turned into illustrated digital picture books and combined into one collaborative e-book. Students used digital and AI-supported tools, such as Canva AI, to create engaging illustrations.

Each story also includes practical advice and simple steps that help young people cope with similar situations. In this way, the e-book is not only a creative product but also a useful support resource for students aged 10–15, helping them recognize stress, understand emotions, and learn how to seek help and find solutions.

Link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG8siQ_KYQ/tw7Xm7KTZNxn38Nd34ikCg/view?utm_content=DAG8siQ_KYQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=he5971f3f3e

Goals of Our Collaborative E-Book

• develop emotional intelligence and awareness of stress

• encourage healthy coping strategies and problem-solving skills

• strengthen empathy and peer support among students

• improve creative writing and communication skills

• develop digital and media literacy through digital storytelling tools

• promote international collaboration and teamwork

• support student well-being and positive mental health messages

• Internet Safety Toolkit: Safe on the Internet

• In our project, eSafety is extremely important. We believe that students must learn how to use the internet responsibly, safely, and with confidence. That is why we actively promote online safety through different project activities.

• As part of this commitment, we celebrate Safer Internet Day and the Safer Internet Month in February within our project. During this time, we focus especially on raising students’ awareness about digital risks, responsible online behaviour, protecting personal data, and respectful communication online.

• The Internet Safety Toolkit: Safe on the Internet was created through collaborative work of the teachers involved in the project. The main goal of this toolkit is to provide students with clear, simple, and practical guidelines for staying safe online. It supports the development of digital literacy, critical thinking, and safe digital habits.

• We implemented the toolkit with our students during lessons. Students explored the materials, discussed real-life online situations, and learned how to make safer choices in the digital world.

• The toolkit was also displayed in our eTwinning corners so that students, teachers, and visitors can see our project work and the importance of online safety in everyday school life.

• Through this activity, we aim to help students become responsible digital citizens who know how to protect themselves and others online.

• https://www.canva.com/design/DAG_isax3UM/83nQZ4gyDfVExrFAZQzJgA/view?utm_content=DAG_isax3UM&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h214a99102c

• PDF version: 

• Download

This collaborative book was created from a simple but powerful idea — turning two small strokes into meaningful artworks. Working in mixed international groups, students combined their creativity, ideas, and emotions to create unique images connected to themes such as hope, peace, friendship, kindness, inner strength, and a positive future.

The result is a collection of beautiful visual stories filled with inspiring messages. Each artwork shows how creativity, collaboration, and different perspectives can come together to create something meaningful.

This book is also a reflection of strong teacher collaboration, bringing all student creations together in one shared story.

Together, we grow. 🌱

Link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHBNuzoYX8/O0QsHsCBBJb5D3qHD6rXBg/view?utm_content=DAHBNuzoYX8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hfdba8ee750

PDF version: 

Download

Objectives of the Activity and the eBook

The activity and the collaborative eBook aimed to achieve several educational and social goals:

• Promote creativity and imagination by encouraging students to transform two simple strokes into meaningful artworks and visual stories.

• Develop collaboration skills through working in mixed international groups and sharing ideas with students from different countries.

• Encourage intercultural understanding by bringing together different perspectives, cultures, and experiences.

• Express important values such as hope, peace, friendship, kindness, inner strength, and a positive vision of the future.

• Strengthen communication and teamwork as students discussed ideas and created artworks together.

• Foster empathy and inclusion by showing that every idea and contribution is valuable.

• Enhance digital and creative skills through the creation and presentation of visual content.

• Celebrate student work by collecting all creations in a shared collaborative eBook.

Overall, the project helped students understand that small ideas can grow into meaningful creations when people work together, reinforcing the message: Together, we grow.