Accompanying European Mobility Stakeholders to better manage mental health concerns.

By Your Side aims to normalise and strengthen the conversation around mental health within European mobility programmes, making support more predictable, accessible and practical for mobility stakeholders and trainees involved in transnational exchanges.

The project’s main objectives are to strengthen the capacity of mobility organisations to address mental health challenges, to provide practical tools to manage expectations and identify concerns at an early stage, and to encourage open and safe communication about emotions before, during and after mobility periods.

Mobility experiences can be enriching, but they may also expose trainees to stress, isolation or difficult situations that require timely support and, in some cases, crisis management. However, mobility stakeholders often lack concrete, tailored resources to respond effectively. By Your Side was created to address this gap.

To do so, the project develops focused, user-friendly and multilingual resources that can be used at every stage of the mobility cycle.

The project is grounded in accessibility, co-creation and evidence-based practice, and promotes close collaboration between mobility professionals and mental health specialists. It also integrates inclusion and sustainability, through culturally sensitive, multilingual content and environmentally responsible practices.

Rather than abstract recommendations, By Your Side turns guidance into action. The tools and training provided can be used immediately by coordinators, host companies, accommodation providers… and trainees themselves before departure, during the placement and in moments of difficulty. This approach helps reduce risks, builds confidence among stakeholders, supports pastoral care, and ultimately improves the wellbeing and outcomes of trainees taking part in European mobility.

We support mobility stakeholders in preparing candidates emotionally and practically before they go abroad, helping to manage expectations and identify early mental health concerns.

Our Mobility Preparation Tools include:

• Practical guidelines to prepare candidates for the emotional ups and downs of mobility
• A guide for identifying concerns during the application and pre-departure phases
• Self-assessment tools to help candidates reflect on their readiness for an international internship

These resources help normalise mental health discussions, reduce drop-out risks and ensure candidates feel better prepared before departure. 

We equip mobility stakeholders with the skills and tools needed to support trainees during their stay abroad, including prevention, communication and crisis management.

Our Support Tools for Mobility Stakeholders include:

• Online mental health support skills courses covering psychological first aid, active listening and recognising warning signs
• Tips for communicating despite language barriers when addressing sensitive mental health issues
• A clear and practical Mental Health Crisis Action Plan defining roles, responsibilities and emergency procedures

These resources are designed to be applied directly in real-life mobility situations. 

We provide trainees with a practical mental health toolkit to help them manage their own wellbeing during their mobility experience.

The Trainee Toolkit includes:

• Emergency contact information and guidance on cultural differences
• A self-help guide and personal wellbeing plan to encourage self-care and reflection
• The BY YOUR SIDE podcast, sharing real mobility experiences
• Video-based self-help methods and art therapy tools to support emotional expression

These resources empower trainees to take an active role in their mental wellbeing while staying connected to support networks.