On 18 December, the DIGI-MENTAL online hackathon was completed, marking an important milestone in the project’s efforts to explore innovative digital approaches to youth mental health.

Following the open call for participants, the hackathon brought together motivated young people, youth workers, and digital innovators with a shared interest in mental well-being and emerging technologies. The event created a collaborative space for learning, experimentation, and co-creation, with a strong emphasis on Virtual Reality (VR) as a tool for supporting mental health in youth work contexts.

Throughout the hackathon, participants worked in multidisciplinary teams to identify key challenges related to youth mental well-being and to design digital and VR-based concepts responding to those needs. The process combined brainstorming, teamwork, and hands-on development, resulting in a range of creative ideas and early-stage prototypes that demonstrated how immersive technologies can contribute to safer, more engaging, and supportive youth work practices.

Beyond the technical outcomes, the hackathon also strengthened participants’ skills in collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking, while fostering meaningful exchange between youth work and the digital sector. The high level of engagement and quality of ideas confirmed the relevance of VR and digital innovation in addressing mental health challenges among young people.

The successful completion of the hackathon represents a key step forward for the DIGI-MENTAL project and reinforces its mission to empower youth workers with innovative digital tools for mental well-being. Further project activities will continue building on the insights, ideas, and energy generated during this event.