STIGMA OUT Transnational Meeting in Rome: sport, mental health and youth wellbeing

20–24 March 2026 

From 20 to 24 March 2026, the partners of the Erasmus+ Sport project STIGMA OUT gathered in Rome for the project’s Transnational Meeting, an important step in the implementation of the European cooperation process.

The meeting brought together participants from the partner organisations to explore the connection between sport, youth and mental health, with a specific focus on stigma, anxiety, stress, depression and the role that sports associations can play in supporting young people’s wellbeing.

STIGMA OUT aims to provide sports organisations, coaches, trainers and youth workers with practical tools to better understand the mental health needs of young people and to create safer, more inclusive and supportive sport environments.

A week of learning, exchange and cooperation

The Rome meeting was designed as an intensive programme of workshops, training sessions and group activities. Participants worked together through non-formal education methods, combining discussion, reflection, practical exercises and the development of project materials.

The activities allowed participants to exchange experiences from their local contexts, compare the challenges faced by young people in different European countries and reflect on how sport can become a space of protection, inclusion and personal growth.

The meeting was also a key moment for the production of the project results, as many of the contents discussed during the workshops will contribute to the development of communication materials, informative resources and sport-based activities to be used in the next phases of the project.

Workshop: fears and expectations of young Europeans

The first workshop focused on the fears and expectations of young Europeans.

Participants reflected on the social, economic and psychological context in which young people are growing up today. They discussed the pressures that affect younger generations, including uncertainty about the future, social expectations, isolation, lack of opportunities and difficulties in building a strong sense of identity.

This activity helped participants better understand the emotional landscape of young people and the importance of creating spaces where they can express their concerns without fear of judgement.

Sport was discussed as one of these possible spaces: a place where young people can build relationships, develop confidence and experience a sense of belonging.

Workshop: young people and mental health in Europe

The second workshop was dedicated to young people and mental health in Europe.

Participants explored the growing relevance of mental health issues among adolescents and young adults, with particular attention to anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness and emotional distress.

The discussion highlighted that mental health cannot be treated as a distant or isolated topic. It is part of the daily life of many young people and can directly influence their participation in school, sport, community life and relationships.

For this reason, sports associations need to become more aware of these challenges. Coaches and youth workers do not replace mental health professionals, but they can play an important educational role by creating supportive environments, recognising signs of discomfort and promoting positive relationships.

Workshop: psychological benefits of sport during adolescence

Another important session focused on the psychological benefits of sport during the developmental age.

Participants analysed how sport can support young people not only physically, but also emotionally and socially. Practising sport can help adolescents strengthen self-esteem, improve social skills, develop resilience, manage stress and experience cooperation within a group.

The workshop also underlined that sport must be guided by an inclusive and educational approach. Competitive environments, if not properly managed, can increase pressure and comparison. However, when sport is based on respect, support and participation, it can become a powerful tool for wellbeing.

This reflection was particularly important for the sports youth workers involved in the project, who were encouraged to think about their role not only as trainers, but also as adults of reference for young people.

Workshop: stigma and mental health

A central part of the meeting was dedicated to the topic of stigma related to mental health problems.

Participants discussed how stigma is created, how it affects people who experience mental health difficulties and why it can become an obstacle to asking for help.

The workshop explored common stereotypes and misconceptions linked to mental illness, including the idea that psychological distress is a sign of weakness or something to be hidden. Participants reflected on the importance of separating the person from the condition and of promoting a culture based on understanding, empathy and acceptance.

The session also helped participants understand the difference between external stigma and self-stigma. When negative social beliefs are internalised, young people may feel shame, guilt or isolation, making it even harder to speak openly about their difficulties.

Through this activity, the participants worked on how sports environments can contribute to reducing stigma, encouraging open dialogue and making young people feel less alone.

Advocacy Campaign: creating awareness through video

During the Rome meeting, the participants also worked on an Advocacy Campaign dedicated to the message of STIGMA OUT.

The activity focused on the importance of taking a public position on social issues and using communication as a tool for awareness and change.

Participants reflected on why sports organisations should speak about mental health and how they can use their voice to challenge stigma. Working in groups, they developed ideas for video messages able to reach young people, sports communities and local stakeholders.

The Advocacy Campaign activity allowed participants to combine creativity, teamwork and social responsibility. The videos developed during the project will contribute to spreading the message that mental health matters and that sport can help create more supportive communities.

Workshop: informative material on mental illnesses

Another session was dedicated to the creation of informative material on mental illnesses.

Participants worked on how to communicate sensitive topics in a clear, respectful and accessible way. The goal was to understand how sports organisations can share useful information without using technical or stigmatising language.

The workshop focused on the importance of producing materials that can be used both digitally and in printed form, helping local communities better understand mental health, stigma and the positive role of sport.

This activity will contribute to the development of the project’s communication materials and graphic resources, which will later be shared during local activities and awareness-raising events.

Creating sport activities to reduce anxiety, stress and depression

The final part of the meeting was dedicated to the creation of sport-based activities designed to help reduce anxiety, stress and depression.

Rather than simply testing existing exercises, participants worked together to develop new practical activities starting from their own professional experience in the sports field. Coaches, trainers, youth workers and representatives of the partner organisations shared methods, ideas and practices already used in their local contexts, combining them into a common European approach.

Through group work and guided discussion, the participants created a set of sport activities inspired by different disciplines and educational needs. These activities were designed to encourage emotional release, cooperation, concentration, resilience, trust and teamwork.

The goal was to develop tools that sports associations can later use with young people in a safe, inclusive and supportive way. The activities created during the meeting will also be recorded in the next phases of the project, so that they can become accessible training resources for other sports organisations, youth workers and local communities.

This process allowed participants to transform their practical experience into shared project outputs, showing how cooperation between different organisations can generate useful and replicable tools for promoting youth mental wellbeing through sport.

Building the next phase of the project

The Rome Transnational Meeting represented a key moment for STIGMA OUT. It allowed the partnership to move from planning to concrete implementation, transforming the project objectives into shared knowledge, practical tools and communication ideas.

The work carried out in Rome will support the next phases of the project, including the development of project outputs, communication materials and local activities in each partner country.

After the meeting, the partners will bring the knowledge and tools developed during the transnational activity back to their own communities through dedicated Local Meetings. These events will help spread awareness of the work carried out at European level and will directly involve local communities in the project’s message.

A shared message: stigma can be challenged

The Rome meeting confirmed one of the main ideas behind STIGMA OUT: mental health should not be surrounded by silence, fear or shame.

Sport can become a powerful context where young people feel seen, supported and included. To make this possible, sports associations need awareness, tools and a stronger educational approach.

Through workshops, training sessions and advocacy activities, the participants strengthened their understanding of youth mental health and worked together to promote a more inclusive sports culture.

The STIGMA OUT Transnational Meeting in Rome was therefore not only a project event, but also a shared step towards a clearer message: stigma can be challenged, mental health can be discussed openly, and sport can help young people feel less alone.