"<< Objectives >>Adolescence is a crucial period for developing and maintaining social and emotional habits important for mental well-being. Including healthy sleep patterns; regular exercise; coping, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. An estimated 10-20% of adolescents globally experience mental health conditions, yet these remain underdiagnosed and under-treated. Multiple physical, emotional, and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence, could make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. Promoting psychological well-being and protecting adolescents from adverse experiences and risk factors that may impact their potential to thrive is critical for their well-being during adolescence.Multiple factors determine mental health outcomes. The more risk factors adolescents are exposed to, the greater the potential impact on their mental health. Factors that could contribute to stress during adolescence include a desire for greater autonomy, pressure to conform with peers, exploration of sexual identity, and increased access to and use of technology. Media influence and gender norms exacerbate the disparity between adolescents’ lived reality and their perceptions or aspirations for the future. Other important determinants include the quality of their home life and relationships with peers. Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to sexual violence, which had a clear association with detrimental mental health.The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a huge impact on the well-being of young people. Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen were overwhelming for young people. Public health actions, such as social distancing, made people feel isolated and lonely and increased stress and anxiety. However, these actions were necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Coping with stress in a healthy way made our community stronger.Some adolescents were at greater risk of mental health conditions due to their living conditions, stigma, discrimination, or exclusion, or lack of access to quality support and services. Adolescents with mental health conditions were in turn particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma, educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviors, physical ill-health, and human rights violations. Mental health problems among young people varied from anger to anxiety and panic attacks, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, loneliness, etc.According to WHO, suicide and accidental death from self-harm were the third cause of adolescent mortality in 2015, resulting in an estimated 67,000 deaths. Self-harm largely occurred among older adolescents, and globally it was the second leading cause of death for older adolescent girls. It was the leading or second cause of adolescent death in Europe and South-East Asia.The objectives of the Erasmus+ youth exchange program Inner Engineering were the following:- To raise awareness and develop an understanding of the existing mental health conditions- To broaden the knowledge of young people about mindful practices and how mental health conditions could be treated- To make young people reflect upon their social and cultural background regarding the topic of mental health conditions and well-being- To explore the potential of healthy lifestyles and mindful practices in preventing risk-taking and self-harm behaviors- To establish a network of like-minded organizations and individuals who were interested in further exchange on the topic of healthy lifestyles and mental well-being- To raise awareness about the effect of mental health conditions, especially after the pandemic period, among different stakeholders by developing and disseminating blog posts and publications.<< Implementation >>The main activity implemented was the youth exchange program ""Inner Engineering"" carried out in Bakuriani, Georgia, from 09.06.2022-15.06.2022. The program gathered 40 young people from 8 EU and EaP countries, who had been pre-selected based on their potential to act as multipliers in their respective communities, previous knowledge, experience, motivation, and desire to work on the topic of mindfulness. The working methods used during the program were completely based on the principles of non-formal and informal education, with the help of which participants had a chance to acknowledge the importance of education, learning, and training outside the recognized educational institutions.During the selection process, preferences were given to young people with fewer opportunities, including those facing social and geographic obstacles, people facing discrimination because of gender, sexual orientation, etc.; people from remote or rural areas, and people from vulnerable families. The participants of the youth exchange program were motivated young leaders who wanted to lead their communities to positive changes and transform existing challenges into success. They wanted to work on various topics and issues such as healthy lifestyles, mindful practices, inclusion, equality, and integration and had a goal to create a safer space for future generations. All the participants and organizations involved in the program were interested in the topic of a healthy lifestyle and mindful practices and considered mental health concerns as a core challenge of today's world.<< Results >>By carrying out the youth exchange program ""Inner Engineering"", participants gained knowledge about the benefits of mindfulness as a tool for becoming free from distraction or judgment, and aware of our thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. New tools and methodologies helped them to learn how to promote mindful practices and healthy lifestyles among young people living in their respective home communities, and how to plan and carry out social campaigns. This youth exchange program increased their motivation to participate actively in social and political life. During the project, participants had a chance to learn how to conduct fundraising activities, whether it was an awareness-raising campaign, educational project, or public actions for preventing or treating mental health conditions in their countries.The main impact on participating organizations was the increased capacities of their participants. A strong focus of the youth exchange program was put on planning concrete follow-up activities on the topic of a healthy lifestyle. The benefit of participating organizations was the new innovative set of tools, materials, and resources, which resulted in a more effective, dynamic, committed, and professional environment within the organization. Moreover, participating organizations expanded contacts with partner organizations throughout the world. The project served as a starting point for future cooperation perspectives.Participants of the youth exchange program benefited from improved competencies, as they were able to design quality educational projects after learning about new methods and tools during the project. Young people had a chance to participate in innovative workshops, social campaigns, and fundraising activities organized by the participants. After participating in the above-mentioned activities, young people acquired important skills such as critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork. Acquired skills encouraged them to be involved in the decision-making processes concerning the healthy lifestyle and mental health challenges of the 21st century. Other organizations, educational entities, and stakeholders benefited from the publication produced during the youth exchange program. The publication summarized all the necessary information accumulated throughout the project, including non-formal education methodologies."