Did you know 25% of the world's population is under 25? Youth inactivity and mental health concerns are on the rise globally. The recently published reports for the Erasmus+ Sport funded project HOORAY! dive into the overlooked connection between physical activity and mental well-being in adolescents. The stats are concerning — so let's uncover the holistic impact and pave the way for better youth mental health with the help of science. 

Science has caught up with what we've long known—physical activity boosts mental health in children and adolescents. From changes in brain structure to cognitive performance enhancement, the evidence is in. Are you curious about the insights that can empower our youth through exercise for both the body and mind? Delve into the transformative findings unveiled by the newly released scientific reports for the project HOORAY! 

Richard Bailey’s study on the ‘What Works? Evidence-based Guidelines’ zeroed in on adolescent depression, anxiety and suicide, and the Technical University of Munich’s (TUM) ‘Youth Voices’ report sheds light on adolescents’ perceptions of physical activities that support mental health. Both of these research reports are already published on the project website https://engsoyouth.eu/hooray/: access them now or check out our infographics highlighting the essense of the reports.

The urgent need to address unhealthy inactivity among adolescents

Prof. Dr.  Richard Bailey's report sheds light on the impact of WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, and Democratic) societies on adolescent health. As our cultures evolve, so do the risks for depression, anxiety, and suicide among young individuals. 'What Works' provides evidence-based guidelines on the interplay of sports and mental well-being. 

Read the report at https://engsoyouth.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/What-works.pdf

The science behind youth flourishing

The PERMA model outlines the crucial elements shaping our teens' happiness and success. Positive affect, meaningful engagement, and more—it's all part of the equation. Join us in understanding the keys to a thriving youth using this infographic created specifically for the project and exlpore the full text at https://engsoyouth.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Youth-voices.pdf