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MPAS: The art in support of mental health Creative Europe Programme (CREA), Project: 101173941 — MPAS
At the Association of Psychologists in Bulgaria, we are honored to be part of the MPAS project, a Creative Europe initiative co-funded by the European Union. This groundbreaking project, running from November 2024 to November 2026, brings together partners from Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria to explore the transformative power of art in mental health prevention.
The Mission: Art as a tool for mental well-being
MPAS is designed to empower young people through creative expression, focusing on preventing mental health challenges rather than just addressing them. By developing art-based methodologies, training artists and conducting workshops, we aim to:
✔️ Provide young people with creative tools to enhance self-awareness, emotional resilience and social connection.
✔️ Train 30 artists across partner countries to integrate mental health awareness into their artistic practices.
✔️ Deliver workshops for at least 300 young people, focusing on identity, belonging, anxiety and emotional expression.
✔️ Develop a comprehensive toolkit combining various art forms to support mental health professionals and educators.
Kicking off with energy: Our first face-to-face meeting in Barcelona
To officially launch MPAS, we held our first face-to-face partner meeting in Barcelona on January 30th-31st, 2025. This meeting was a pivotal moment, setting the foundation for the next two years of collaboration.
Who was there? The amazing teams from Proyecto Nagual (Spain), Omphalos (Italy), Hope Art (Greece) and APB (Bulgaria), all committed to driving meaningful change through art and psychology.
What did we do?
✅ We introduced ourselves and our expertise, aligning our visions for MPAS.
✅ We outlined key project phases, including the development of the MPAS toolkit, training sessions and community workshops.
✅ We discussed innovative approaches to mental health prevention, integrating generosity, empathy, vulnerability and expression into our methodology.
✅ Most importantly, we bonded as a team, sharing experiences, emotions and excitement for what’s ahead.
The atmosphere was filled with positivity, inspiration and a shared commitment to making this project a success. The energy in the room was simply incredible!
What’s Next?
February 27th & March 19th, 2025: Online coordination meetings to refine our approaches and plan our Athens training session in April.
April 4th-6th, 2025: First face-to-face artist training in Athens, where each partner will present three workshops integrating artistic expression with mental health practices.
November 2025 – October 2026: Implementation of our artist training programs and community workshops, bringing MPAS to life in local communities.
Why This Project Matters
Mental health challenges among young people are on the rise, and traditional interventions often focus on treatment rather than prevention. MPAS is different – it recognizes that art has the power to heal, empower and create a sense of belonging. By combining psychology and creativity, we can provide sustainable, impactful solutions that help young people connect with themselves, others and the world around them.
We at APB are proud to be part of this initiative and deeply believe in its success. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see the impact MPAS will have!
This publication reflects only the views of the author and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.