YouMind Dissemination Event in Lithuania Highlights the Role of Sport in Youth Mental Health
On 7 November 2025, an event focusing on youth mental health and the importance of physical activity took place in Širvintos, Lithuania, organised in close collaboration with Širvintų Sporto Klubas. The event gathered 20 young athletes and five coaches and schoolteachers, all recreational sport and physical activity users, which enabled an open and relatable discussion on how everyday movement can support mental well-being. This activity was part of the dissemination of the Youth Sports Mindset – YouMind project, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme.
A Full Day of Learning, Sharing, and Moving Together
The programme began with a nature hike in the surroundings of Širvintos, allowing participants to connect with the outdoors before diving into the educational sessions. After the hike, participants received a warm welcome followed by a presentation of the YouMind project delivered by Ugnė Chmeliauskaitė (former Chair of ENGSO Youth).
The main part of the session featured a keynote on “The Importance of Mental Health for Youth” presented by Romualdas Chmeliauskas, coach at Širvintų Sporto Klubas. Afterwards, participants engaged in group work to discuss the challenges and opportunities that physical activity offers for youth mental health. The event concluded with group presentations and an open discussion.
Throughout the sessions, the moderators ensured an interactive and supportive atmosphere where participants could openly explore how sport and movement can play a meaningful role in promoting the mental well-being of young people.
The event created a strong platform for dialogue, enabling athletes, coaches, and teachers to actively exchange ideas on local challenges and opportunities. This engagement strengthened their understanding of YouMind principles and opened the door for integrating them into local sport and educational activities.
Looking Ahead
The dissemination event in Širvintos marks an important step within ENGSO Youth objective towards the promotion of mental well-being among young people through sport and physical activity. With growing local engagement and a solid foundation for future actions, the YouMind project continues to empower communities to prioritise youth mental health in meaningful and accessible ways.
Explore the YouMind resources here: click here
More about the project and the resources, please find on https://youmind.eusa.eu