Art for Mental Well-Being: Innovative Community-Based Solutions for Youth and Vulnerable Groups
Who We Are
7 leading organizations united across Europe
Austria
Inno
Estonia
TTK
Czech Republic
CZU
Ukraine
Mind Charity
Sweden
KTH
Ukraine
RISE
Poland
PUSB
Ukraine
TSNUK

Consortium Partners

Inno Verein zur Förderung von innovativen Ideen und Startups (Austria), Coordinator

Inno Verein – is a dynamic innovation ecosystem dedicated to supporting and scaling startups by fostering collaboration between entrepreneurs, experts, and investors.

INNO’s mission is to drive innovation and economic growth by providing access to resources, education, and tailored support for launching and scaling impactful ideas. Through its network, INNO creates an environment where transformative projects can emerge and contribute to societal well-being.

The organisation delivers a wide range of educational programmes, including courses, seminars, and training sessions, and is experienced in organising high-impact events such as hackathons, ideathons, and startup competitions.

Over the years, INNO’s core team has:
- launched 45+ projects;
- provided 750+ consultations;
- supported the development of 6000+ startups and companies.

INNO also brings experience in Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP), including within the Seeds of Bravery project. Key team members have strong project coordination expertise.

Within ART4MENTAL, INNO:

- acts as Project Coordinator;
- leads FSTP management.

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine)

Founded in 1834, TSNUK is one of Ukraine’s leading academic institutions, combining education, research, and clinical practice.

The university has a strong ecosystem for mental health, including:
- Faculty of Psychology;
- Institute of Psychiatry;
- University Psychological Service and Clinic;
- interdisciplinary research centres.

With over 50 years of experience in psychology education and more than 20 years in military psychology, TSNUK has significant expertise in trauma-related mental health.

The university is actively engaged in research on art therapy, including rehabilitation of individuals affected by war.

Within ART4MENTAL, TSNUK:
- co-leads capacity building activities;
- contributes to bootcamps and artist residencies;
- supports exhibitions and dissemination.

TTK University of Applied Sciences (Estonia)

TTK is a state higher education institution specialising in applied sciences, including engineering, technology, logistics, and social welfare.

The university combines education with applied research and offers training and consulting services to both public and private sectors. It is also actively engaged in European innovation networks. TTK works in close partnership with employers, professionals, and service providers across all of its fields of study, integrating practical placements, industry-led projects, and co-developed curricula into every programme. This strong link between academia and the working-life ensures that both education and research at TTK remain directly relevant to the challenges faced by practitioners and end-users.

TTK has strong expertise in:
- VR environments for skill development;
- social work and well-being services;
- applied research and testing of digital solutions.

Within ART4MENTAL, TTK:
- co-leads training and capacity building.

RISE OF UKRAINE Charity Fund (Ukraine)

RISE OF UKRAINE is a non-profit organisation focused on supporting vulnerable groups, including children, internally displaced persons, and communities, in liberated and war-affected areas of Ukraine.

Since 2022, the organisation has:
- supported over 8,000 families;
- delivered humanitarian aid to 24,000+ people;
- organized 90+ psychological and 60+ medical consultations;
- distributed a necessary help for over 500 families from vulnerable groups;
- conducted art therapy and non-formal education programmes for children, youth and adults.

Mental health lies at the heart of what the organization does. Through retreats, training programmes, and transformative exhibitions such as "The Price of Life", RISE creates space for healing, reflection, and resilience. Across all areas - education, capacity building, and social integration - RISE brings together artistic practice and psychological support as foundations for lasting well-being.

Within ART4MENTAL, RISE:
- leads communication and dissemination;
- supports engagement with rehabilitation centres and communities;
- co-organises workshops, webinars, and other activities for university staff, artists and mental health professionals;
- communicates project`s updates and results through online and offline channels;
- distributes the results at international conferences, exhibitions and art galleries;
- tracks public engagement and participation.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden)

KTH is Sweden’s leading technical university, with strong expertise in engineering, health technologies, and digital innovation.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems specialises in:
- health technologies and AI;
- mental health research;human-centred digital solutions.

KTH has extensive experience in projects focused on youth mental health, social well-being, and interactive technologies.

Within ART4MENTAL, KTH:
- contributes to capacity building and research activities;
- supports development of digital and immersive solutions.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) (Czech Republic)

CZU is a dynamic and research-oriented institution that combines academic excellence with a strong applied focus and public impact.

The Department of Psychology focuses on:
- social and organisational behaviour;
- mental health and well-being;
- applied psychology in business and society.

CZU is recognised for integrating interdisciplinary research with innovative teaching methods, emphasising collaboration, creativity, and real-world application.

Within ART4MENTAL, CZU:
- leads dissemination and impact;
- supports the interdisciplinary approach;
- connects psychology with economic and social aspects;
- helps apply project results in practice.

Through these activities, CZU ensures that ART4MENTAL outcomes are not only scientifically grounded but also socially relevant and practically applicable across different contexts.

Mind Charity (Ukraine)

Mind Charity (Ukraine) is a non-profit organisation providing mental health support to people affected by war in Ukraine.

The organisation currently works with 60+ clinics and rehabilitation centres and develops innovative solutions such as Luminify, combining immersive technologies with mental health care.

MCH collaborates with leading institutions, including:
- Coordination Center for Mental Health (Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine);
- Ukrainian Catholic University;
- Bogomolets National Medical University.

Notably, MCH has partnered with Meta and received 1000 VR headsets to scale mental health support.

Within ART4MENTAL, MCH:
- leads implementation and VR-based interventions.

Misson
ART4MENTAL is focused on creating innovative, accessible therapeutic solutions for vulnerable communities across Europe. By bringing together art, technology and mental health, we equip artists with the digital tools, therapeutic knowledge and community partnerships needed to transform their works into healing experiences
Vision
We want to create a future where culture is not just about expression - it's about healing. Where artists are recognized as essential to mental health care. Where a person experiencing trauma in Kyiv, Prague, or Tallinn can access immersive VR art therapy as easily as traditional care. Where mental health innovation and creative expression work hand-in-hand to transform how we heal.
Objectives
01
Strengthen professional capacity
We will train and fund 20 artists, provide trainings and workshops to all interested artists, ensure collaborations with health and recovery institutions across Europe
02
Foster innovation & creativity
Selected artists will co-create and pilot 20 VR content scenarios that will provide not only technical upskilling but also deep capacity-building in human-centered, therapeutic artistic practice
03
Promote social inclusion
By involving Ukrainian artists, displaced people and mental health institutions, we will empower participants to translate lived experience into therapeutic creative action
04
Advance digital transformation
Artists, mental health professionals and social care specialists will be equipped with skills to effectively utilize VR art therapy and digital art for mental well-being
why this matters
Mental Health Crisis
1 in 7 young people worldwide experience mental health conditions (WHO).

Access to support remains limited, while stigma is still high.
Innovation Gap
Lack of modern, interactive tools in therapy.

Traditional approaches often don’t meet the needs of younger generations.
Art as Healing
Art helps express complex emotions without words.

Creative practices support recovery and inner balance.
Technology as Opportunity
VR creates controlled, safe environments for healing. What one artist creates can support thousands - making therapeutic experiences accessible, scalable, and deeply personal
Mental Health Crisis
1 in 7 young people worldwide experience mental health conditions (WHO).

Access to support remains limited, while stigma is still high.
Innovation Gap
Lack of modern, interactive tools in therapy.

Traditional approaches often don’t meet the needs of younger generations.
Art as Healing
Art helps express complex emotions without words.

Creative practices support recovery and inner balance.
Technology as Opportunity
VR creates controlled, safe environments for healing. What one artist creates can support thousands - making therapeutic experiences accessible, scalable, and deeply personal
What Motivates Us
7 leading organizations united across Europe
Yuliia Darchych, Project Coordinator, Inno
Yuliia Darchych, Project Coordinator, Inno

I am truly honoured and deeply excited to be coordinating the ART4MENTAL project.

What makes this project especially meaningful to me is that it represents my first opportunity to work in the field of mental health, art, and well-being. While it is a new professional direction, it feels like a very natural one. ART4MENTAL brings together many of the values that have shaped both my personal and professional journey.

For me, ART4MENTAL is much more than a project. I am genuinely inspired by the project’s vision of using art and immersive technologies to support healing, resilience, and social inclusion across Europe.

I feel privileged to contribute to this pioneering initiative and look forward to working together with our consortium partners to create meaningful, lasting impact for the communities we serve.

Jakub Berčík, CZU
Jakub Berčík, CZU

“I joined ART4MENTAL because I believe that art, psychology, and immersive technologies can together create meaningful support for mental well-being. As a researcher from the Department of Psychology at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, my work focuses on consumer neuroscience and understanding emotional and cognitive responses through neurophysiological methods. 


Within the project, I would like to contribute to connecting scientific insights with creative and therapeutic approaches, helping to better understand how immersive artistic experiences can positively influence human emotions, attention, and mental health. I am also motivated by the societal impact dimension of WP6, especially the opportunity to bring project outcomes closer to the public through workshops, exhibitions, and collaborative dissemination activities. I see ART4MENTAL as a unique opportunity to bridge research, creativity, and societal impact in an innovative and human-centered way.”

Merli Tammi-Jõeveer, TTK
Merli Tammi-Jõeveer, TTK

“I joined the ART4MENTAL project because it connects closely with my professional interests in social work, mental well-being, trauma-informed practice, and experiential learning. I am especially interested in how art, VR, and immersive environments can support self-expression, emotional awareness, and resilience among young people and vulnerable groups.


I see the project as an opportunity to bring together social work, education, creativity, and technology in a practical and human-centred way. Through this project, we can explore how innovative digital and artistic methods can be used not only in therapeutic contexts, but also in education, prevention, and community-based support.


I would like to contribute with my experience in social work education, trauma-informed approaches, counselling, and working with young adults. I am especially interested in helping to develop training materials and practical learning methods that support reflection, emotional safety, and meaningful use of VR-enhanced art practices in mental well-being work.”

Sanna Kuoppamäki, KTH
Sanna Kuoppamäki, KTH

“I am fascinated by the use of VR and immersive environments for mental well-being that can empower young adults and vulnerable groups in self-expression and resilience building. Through working with young adults, female artists and vulnerable populations, we can create a social impact, improve education, and raise public awareness on these sensitive topics. 



VR-enhanced art therapy developed during the project has a potential to be used in health promotion and preventative health more broadly. I look forward to contributing with my knowledge on co-design of interactive health technologies, and pedagogical knowledge on working with young adults to incorporate VR art therapy in mental health practices.”

Svitlana Paschenko, TSNUK
Svitlana Paschenko, TSNUK

“My main motivation for joining the ART4MENTAL project is the desire to master a new technology of psychological assistance, rehabilitation and socio-psychological support to citizens of Ukraine who have suffered from the war - internally displaced persons, children and adults, youth, veterans and their family members and all Ukrainian communities in general.

After all, mental health and psychological well-being are what foster resilience, give strength to hold on and encourage people to be subjectively active on the way to post-traumatic growth.

The combination of psychology and psychotherapy with art, which has a huge impact on the emotional sphere of the individual, and VR technologies, which allow creating a high-quality product for use in psychological rehabilitation and human recovery, makes project ART4MENTAL unique and progressive. It will allow to scale up psychological support for those who need it, as well as to teach additional skills and abilities for the conscious application of VR art therapy to psychology"