Echoes of the EMBRACE Children and Youth Forum
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From 17-18 October 2025, over 130 children and young people from Iași, Bârlad, Bacău, Brașov, Petroșani, and Bucharest came together in Bucharest for the EMBRACE Children & Youth Forum to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: youth mental health.
The Forum put the spotlight on the mental health challenges faced by young people in Romania, featuring speakers from government, policymakers, public authorities, NGOs, experts, and children, including:
- Prof. Daniel David, PhD, Psychologist, Minister – Ministry of Education and Research
- Diana Alupei, Representative of the EMBRACE Children and Youth Network
- Roman Zhukovskyi, Senior Social Protection Economist, Lead on Social Protection in Romania – World Bank Romania
- Alexandru-Ionuț Leuțu Cotroceanu, Director, Chief Police Commissioner – School Safety Directorate, IGPR
- Dr. Constantin-Edmond Cracsner, President of the College of Psychologists of Romania
- Diana Cristea, President – Bethany Social Services Foundation & President of the College of Social Workers of Romania
- Prof. Carmen Orban, Chair of the Subcommittee on Population and Development – Health Commission, Romanian Senate
- Bogdan Simion, President of the Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations for Children – FONPC
The Forum was moderated by journalist Mihai Rădulescu and student Ștefania Rusu.
Discussions highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces and developing community care networks to support children’s mental health, with special attention to vulnerable children in rural areas. The Forum emphasized the need for interdisciplinary collaboration among professionals, families, and communities to address issues such as bullying and poverty, while promoting tools and resources for teachers, parents, and policymakers to improve children’s mental wellbeing.
💬 “Mental health is just as important as physical health – when we are sad or feel lonely, we need people who listen, understand, and encourage us, not just good grades. If we learn from an early age to care for our thoughts and emotions, we will grow stronger, braver, and able to build a better world for all children.” – Diana Alupei, EMBRACE Children and Youth Representative
The meeting focused on the mental health challenges faced by young people and adolescents in Romania, with Bogdan Simion highlighting that one in two young people suffers from depression or anxiety, and over 60% do not seek professional help.
The Forum included two panel discussions between children and guests:
- Maya Tomescu, Children and Youth Government FONPC – Emilian Opria, student reporter
- Dr. Stela Firu, Secretary of State – Ministry of Health – Denisa Budurache, student reporter
- Alexandru-Mihai Ghigiu, Commission for Education, Science, and Innovation – Claudiu Iulian Afloare, student reporter
- Viorel Roman, Executive Director – Aliat Association for Mental Health, Psychologist and Psychotherapist at Aliat Clinic, Bucharest – Denisa Budurache, student reporter
- Elena Tudor, Director – National Authority for the Rights of the Child and Adoption (ANPDCA) – Adelina Romaneț, student reporter
- Cătălin Condrea, Director – Moldova High School, Târgu Frumos – Fabiana Năstasă, student reporter
- Diana Stoica, Deputy, Chair of the European Affairs Commission – Claudiu Iulian Afloare, student reporter
The child reporters asked questions prepared by over 60 children during pre-event workshops. Discussions emphasized the need for coordinated state intervention and stronger support systems, including family, school, and healthcare services, to address these challenges. Participants also highlighted the importance of listening to young people and involving them in shaping an ideal society and school environment.
The event also addressed the need to break intergenerational cycles of trauma, promote children’s mental health within families and schools, integrate health education in schools, and reduce stigma around mental health issues. Discussions called for increased awareness among teachers, students, and parents and for bringing mental health topics into public discourse. Participants stressed the importance of authenticity, courage, and open communication when addressing young people’s emotions, highlighting the crucial role of teachers and parents in recognizing signs of emotional distress.
The Forum emphasized understanding mental health as a state of wellbeing, not merely the absence of mental disorders, and educating young people and professionals to promote a “culture of care.”
Innovative ideas proposed by children and youth included:
- A weekly day off dedicated to relaxation and team-building activities
- A Minister of Education advisor to facilitate direct communication between students and the Minister
- Addressing the lack of school psychologists and counselors through school-NGO collaborations
- Peer counseling by trained students with dedicated mental health spaces in schools
Top fears of children and young people:
- Not having anyone to talk to when they feel unwell
- Not being heard or understood by others
- Feeling inadequate or not good enough
- Difficulty building positive relationships with teachers
- Failing exams
- Experiencing bullying without support from peers
- Being isolated or rejected for sharing their feelings
- Not being accepted by friends or judged for who they are
- Difficulty coping with change or new challenges
- Feeling that their emotions are not valid or important
The second day of the Forum focused on mental health programs funded by European initiatives, the importance of support from policymakers, and the impact of social media on children’s mental health. Guest speakers included:
- Dragoș Pîslaru, Minister of Investments and European Projects
- Corina Atanasiu, Member of Parliament, Committee for Education & Committee for Gender Equality
- Nicoleta Călugăreanu, Psychologist and TV presenter
Children participated in workshops, discussing positive and negative effects of social media on cognitive, emotional, and social development, and daily routines. The Ministry of Investments and European Projects supported funding allocations for mental health programs as requested by line ministries. The workshops also addressed school scholarships, the need to improve anti-bullying legislation, and supporting parents in helping children with mental health issues.
Children proved to be agents of change, proposing creative solutions to combat aggression, promote collaboration, and build self-esteem. They moderated three child-focused workshops, addressing key topics and creating concrete action plans:
1️⃣ “Don’t Just Tell Me It Will Be Okay” – Emotions, anxiety, stress management (Moderator: Roberta David; Reporter: Fabiana Năstasă)
2️⃣ “My Voice in School” – School stress, bullying, real counseling (Moderator: Diana Alupei; Reporter: Nica Maia Ștefania)
3️⃣“From Idea to Action” – Building concrete solutions and action plans (Moderator: Ștefania Vornicu; Reporter: Carina Gheorghe)
Discussions addressed sensitive topics such as bullying, stress, and social pressure, while highlighting the need for support programs adapted to children and adolescents, where they are heard and encouraged to express themselves freely. Participants noted the lack of unity and peer support, which can be fostered with adult guidance through programs and group activities. The importance of support from teachers, parents, and friends in overcoming challenges was emphasized, along with gratitude and personal connections as tools to improve wellbeing.
Achievements:
- Real Dialogue with Decision-Makers – Young people asked tough questions directly to ministers, MPs, and mental health experts.
- Actionable Solutions – From school stress to bullying, participants co-designed proposals for better access to counseling and safe spaces in schools.
- Creative Advocacy – Through art, storytelling, and social media workshops, children and teenagers expressed what mental well-being means to them.
Why it matters:
- For young people: give them a safe platform to be heard and shape solutions that impact their daily lives.
- For educators & policymakers: provided concrete insights from youth to guide future mental health policies and support services.
- For communities: is a reminder that resilience starts with listening to the voices of the next generation.
Parents, educators, policymakers, and children are invited to participate in the EMBRACE Children and Youth Forum in Romania.
The Forum demonstrated that when children are given the stage, they do not only share their concerns – they bring clear, practical, and hopeful ideas for change.
Now it’s time to turn these proposals into action. Will you join us in amplifying their voices?
The Romanian partners Fundatia Serviciilor Sociale Bethany (FSSB), Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar (FSC), Asociatia “Bună Ziua, Copii din România”` (BZRO), and Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil (FONPC), as well as our Spanish partner Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL (EAC) were present at the Forum, and contributed their expertise and sharing experiences from the field.
The Forum featured our EMBRACE characters, connecting with children of all ages:
- Primary School: EMBRACE Squad
- Middle School: Maya, Maya+, Leo, Leo+
- High School: Ana, Ana+, Alex, Alex+
Event Details:
For more information and updates, visit the EMBRACE Website!
Contact:
EMBRACE Project Coordination Team
Email: info@embrace-future.eu
Disclaimer: The images accompanying this post have been created and are used in compliance with the legal provisions on the protection of personal data and the right to one’s own image, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and the relevant national legislation. The publication of photographs featuring minors has been carried out exclusively on the basis of the express, free, and informed consent of their parents or legal representatives. The images are used exclusively for the purpose of promoting the activities carried out within the Embrace project and are not used in other contexts or for commercial purposes. The reproduction, distribution, transmission, or use in any form of these images by third parties is strictly prohibited without the prior, express, and written consent of the rights holders.
