In line with a growing recognition of the importance of mental health in education across Europe, several initiatives were also lunched in Serbia as a support to well-being of students.

One such initiative is a comprehensive training program initiated by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Institute for Mental Health and the Institute for the Advancement of Education, aimed at improving mental health support for young people in schools. Over two thousand professional associates from all primary and secondary schools across Serbia have completed the second phase of the training program in May and June.

Participants in the program, which is part of Serbia's Project of Crisis Psycho-Social Support for the Community, focused on early recognition of mental health difficulties in students, providing targeted support, and addressing risky behaviors. Key areas of training included crisis intervention, prevention of behavioral disorders, and empowering teachers to support reintegration processes in cooperation with other institutions. Following their training, participants are expected to implement action plans in their respective schools, ensuring the practical application of the skills acquired.

Additionally, educational advisors and external associate advisors from 17 school administrations underwent training for trainers, enabling them to monitor and support the ongoing implementation of mental health support in schools, with continued guidance from experts at the Institute of Mental Health. The program, which is mandatory for all school professional associates, is part of a wider public interest initiative approved by the Ministry of Education, and participants receive certification upon completion.

Alongside this initiative, the Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Council of Europe and with support from Germany, has launched a new project aimed at preventing peer violence in schools. The project, "Prevention of Peer Violence in Schools," will focus on creating safer school environments through enhanced systems of prevention and response. As part of this project, a national survey will be conducted to assess student well-being, with a particular focus on digital violence and other forms of peer abuse. The findings from the survey will be used to identify key areas requiring intervention and improvement.

Source: Eurydice Unit Serbia