NRW Launches School Program to Boost Youth Resilience

The 'MindOut' initiative will begin in 80 schools in spring 2025, aiming to strengthen social and emotional skills in students aged 15 and older.

The 'MindOut' program, developed in Ireland, will be introduced in North Rhine-Westphalia to help students manage stress and build emotional resilience.
Initially targeting 80 schools in the Ruhr region, Düsseldorf, and Cologne, the program will later expand to 120 additional schools across the state.
The initiative focuses on teaching self-awareness, social skills, and responsible decision-making through 13 weekly sessions led by trained educators.
Studies show a decline in life satisfaction among teenagers around age 15, highlighting the need for strategies to address mental health and well-being.
The program is supported by the TU Dortmund and funded with €250,000 from Westlotto, emphasizing the importance of early intervention in preventing long-term mental health issues.