Eurochild Children’s Council shapes the child-friendly version of the European Commission’s Guidelines on Mental Health and Well-Being at School

Last weekend, Eurochild Children’s Council gathered in Brussels for an exciting project: creating the child-friendly version of the European Commission Guidelines on Mental Health and Well-Being at School. They worked to make the guidelines more accessible to children and adults alike, ensuring that the document can be understood by all.

The Eurochild Children’s Council gathered in Brussels to work on the child-friendly version of the European Commission Guidelines on Mental Health and Well-Being at School. The guidelines are designed to support education professionals and policy-makers in promoting a holistic and inclusive approach to education, prioritizing equity, diversity, and multicultural understanding. Consisting of 11 recommendations, they offer concrete guidance supported by research evidence and complemented by examples of best practices.

Together with our member, the Learning for Well-being Foundation, the Eurochild Children’s Council started by adapting the content, translating the guidelines into child-friendly language while preserving their original meaning. Then, they focused on the format and the design, supported by Re.Brand Studio to ensure that the final version would be visually engaging and easy to navigate.

Our wonderful Children’s Council approached this important task with enthusiasm and determination, sharing a strong sense of achievement and purpose. They felt proud to have learned how to make complex information truly accessible and inclusive, in terms of both content and format. They also reflected on the deeper value of their contribution, knowing that by shaping the document into a child-friendly version, they made it accessible to those who need it most: the children themselves.   

Following this initial in-person meeting in Brussels, the next phase of the project will involve a broader consultation with National Eurochild Forums and the EU Child Participation Platform. Once the feedback is collected, the Eurochild Children’s Council will review and validate the final version before presenting it to the European Commission in Brussels this November.

Beyond the hard work for this project, this Eurochild Children’s Council’s initial in-person meeting in Brussels also featured light-hearted moments, fostering lasting memories and strengthening their commitment to making a real difference for children across Europe.

Hear more from the Eurochild Children’s Council:

Amina: “This weekend we worked on making a document more accessible through language and content. Making this report could potentially help lot of people, especially it can help children to understand and make use of this information. It was also a fun weekend with lots of laughter and memories made”

Faidra: “The whole process of creating the accessible report brought us all closer and helped us bond by collaborating. We discovered new perspectives from which we can see the world.”

Abigel: “We worked really well together in small groups and bounced ideas off each other.”

Georgios Efrem: “A weekend full of work and fun while creating unforgettable memories with dear friends and contributing to the well-being of children in Europe.”

Tuule: “I felt really welcomed and supported. I loved how much work we got done and that I also got to see the city of Brussels. The people were all so warm and sweet and as always it was nice to see the ECC.”

More information:

• Look at the photos and read more about Eurochild’s Child Participation Strategy
• Reach out to: Laure Pailleau, Eurochild Child Participation Officer