On 6th of July 2026, MindGuard project consortium had a successful online Master Training of Trainers (ToT) session. Virtually hosted by the University of Nicosia, the intensive four-hour event officially launched the project’s Master Trainer phase, equipping academic experts with the specialized tools needed to foster mental health literacy across European university campuses.

Funded by the Erasmus+ program, MindGuard addresses the growing academic mental health crisis by combining participatory frameworks with innovative digital tools.

During the training, participants explored the newly finalized MindGuard Guide, built around a practical “Recognise-Respond-Refer” model designed to help university staff navigate 26 common mental health challenges. Attendees also walked through the MindGuard digital ecosystem, including an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) platform designed for safe, scenario-based Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training.

The session shifted from theory to action during a dynamic, gamified interactive activity that kept everyone highly engaged. The training received glowing feedback from the newly certified master trainers:

“Wonderful Kahoot activities, they kept us activated! A useful learning experience! All-encompassing material, well done”.

“The blend of digital innovation and human-centered care is exactly what our universities need”.

“This curriculum breaks down complex clinical concepts into actionable steps”.

Moving forward, these certified Master Trainers are prepared to roll out local training cycles in their home countries. To explore the digital learning platform or download the official guide, visit the project website at https://mindguard-project.eu/