A two-year initiative, “Psychological First Aid and Creative Techniques (PACT),” is on a mission to equip youth workers with essential skills to support young people’s mental well-being. The project brings together organizations from Ukraine, Italy, Greece, Lithuania, Spain, Georgia, Moldova, and Armenia to develop practical tools and hands-on strategies for addressing mental health challenges.
Why PACT Matters
Young people, especially those affected by conflict, displacement, and social struggles, need stronger mental health support. PACT is stepping up by training youth workers, educators, and community leaders to:
- Recognize early signs of mental health struggles, such as anxiety and depression, and assist before they expand.
- Provide first-response psychological support, helping young people navigate emotional challenges.
- Use creative methods — art, storytelling, and drama — to help youth express emotions and heal from trauma.
- Develop accessible resources, including a Psychological First Aid Manual and an Art Therapy Toolkit, to support youth work professionals.
Key Focus: Research and Development of Psychological First Aid Manual & Art Therapy Toolkit
On March 27–28, 2025, partners from Greece, Italy, Spain, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Lithuania, and Armenia gathered in Naples, Italy, for the first in-person staff meeting. This gathering created a valuable space to share experiences, align on project goals, and shape the tools that will soon be available to youth workers and organizations. The focus was on how to better support young people in moments of stress, crisis, and trauma through psychological first aid (PFA) and creative methods such as art-based interventions.
Project Milestones:
PACT Manual on Psychological First Aid – a practical guide that explains what PFA is, how it can be used by youth workers, and provides step-by-step tools to respond to youth in crisis. The Manual integrates evidence-based strategies, including grounding, active listening, and emotional recognition, as well as creative and art-based practices that help prevent long-term negative effects of trauma.
Download Manual: https://pactproject.eu/index.php/pactmanual/
Launch of the Official Website – pactproject.eu is now live, offering resources, updates, and opportunities to follow the project’s progress. The website will serve as a hub for sharing best practices, new materials, and upcoming events.
ACT Progress & Next Steps
What We’ve Achieved:
- Held our first international staff meeting in Naples with partners from 8 countries.
- Created the PACT Manual on Psychological First Aid – a practical step-by-step guide for youth workers.
- Launched the official project website – pactproject.eu – as a hub for resources and updates.
What’s Next?
- Training programs to equip youth workers with psychological first aid skills.
- Workshops on creative therapy to support young people’s mental well-being.
- International exchanges for youth professionals to collaborate and learn.
- A digital library of best practices for long-term accessibility.
By providing practical tools and training, PACT empowers youth workers to build safer, more supportive spaces for young people.
Connect with PACT team on social media platforms:
