Croatia launches mental health awareness campaigns for youth

The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) is launching a digital campaign titled ‘ABeCeda mentalnog zdravlja’ (ABC of Mental Health) to coincide with World Mental Health Day. The campaign is based on the ‘Act, Belong, Commit’ (ABC) program, a Croatian adaptation of an international initiative implemented through the European JA PRISM action. The program focuses on three core principles: ‘Activate yourself’, ‘Be connected’, and ‘Value and contribute to the community’, emphasizing that small, daily actions can support long-term mental well-being.

In Zadar, local authorities are inviting primary and secondary schools to participate in Mental Health Month programs running from October 6 to October 30. The initiative includes lectures, workshops, and panels designed to encourage open dialogue. Specific activities include a panel discussion on body image and social pressures, a theatrical performance titled ‘Drugačije dijete’ (A Different Child) to address feelings of non-belonging, and stress-reduction workshops aimed at helping students manage anxiety related to academic pressures.