Addressing Mental Health Through Youth‑Led Action

Cologne, Germany, a Child Friendly City since 2018, has been actively addressing the growing mental health challenges faced by children and adolescents, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City’s Board for Students in Cologne (BSV), representing 150,000 pupils, identified a significant rise in issues such as isolation, depression, and academic pressure among students. In response, the BSV launched the Mental Health Project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing accessible mental health workshops in schools.

The Mental Health Project began with “Break the Silence Day” in 2022, which successfully raised awareness about mental health issues among students. In March 2024, the city allocated €50,000 to the BSV to officially launch the project. The initiative allows schools to apply for mental health workshops without financial or bureaucratic barriers. Students, teachers, and social workers can directly request workshops, which are facilitated by pre-selected partners and funded by the BSV. By the end of 2024, 62 out of 101 workshop applications were approved, highlighting the growing demand for mental health support in schools.

Recognizing the project’s success, the city extended its funding through 2025 and 2026, with an additional €50,000 contribution from the “Wir Helfen!” foundation in 2025. By August 2025, the BSV had already approved 93 workshop applications, demonstrating the initiative’s impact and the increasing need for mental health care in schools. The project has not only provided direct support to students but also fostered collaboration among students, teachers and social workers, ensuring a holistic approach to mental health.

The BSV is actively engaging with politicians and administrators to explore sustainable solutions for the initiative, such as integrating mental health workshops into school curricula or obtaining permanent funding.

Cologne’s Mental Health Project exemplifies how local action by youths themselves, with the support of local authorities, can effectively tackle childhood mental health issues. By prioritizing accessibility, collaboration, and awareness, the city has created a scalable and impactful program that can inspire other municipalities.