In their transition to adulthood, young people aged between 15-24, are faced with decisions of paramount importance regarding career and education whilst navigating through shifting social relationships with family and peers. The inability to cope with the changing environment, as well as the restraining social standards promoted by the social media can cause a great struggle in a young person’s mind. Unless properly addressed they can turn into various disorders which can impede upon an individual's quality of life and can place a collective burden on the economy.

This timely international symposium provides an invaluable opportunity to evaluate the current state of mental health policies for young people at EU level and to discover best practices in the field of prevention and early intervention. It will address innovative approaches to support young people’s mental health in family and school settings and also at the workplace, while focussing on the action of health services in the promotion of mental well-being. This symposium will also address the role of new technologies and social media as a double-edged instrument in the hands of children and young people.

Overview:

• Session 1 - The European Strategy on Mental Health: Understanding the Current Framework 
• Session 2 - Promoting a Cross-Sectoral Approach, Early Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of Mental Health 
• Session 3 - The Role of Technology and Social Media: Potential Risks and Solutions  
• Session 4 - Improving Workplace Conditions for Young People  

Delegates will:

• Discuss ways to invest in early prevention and identification
• Explore innovative approaches to support young people’s mental health wellbeing in the workplace
• Explore ways to raise the awareness of youth mental health in the society
• Share best practices of successful initiatives that increase the capacity of health systems to act more effectively
• Determine how to improve the accessibility of existing support services
• Build strong partnerships between relevant stakeholders in the public and private sector
• Find ways to overcome job-related stress and provide adequate motivational support in the workplace
• Delve into the potential of specific teaching methods that empower the individuals to have a better control upon their life and education
• Address the issue of cyber-bullying and find relevant solutions to tackle it