The Erasmus+ project MindGuard (Project No. 2024-1-NL01-KA220-HED-000255675) was presented at the 5th Global Conference on Education (GCEDU 2026), held on 27 September 2026 at Imperial College London.
Representing the Institute of Development (IoD) and the wider MindGuard consortium, Elena Xeni, Senior Researcher, presented the project’s latest research findings and practical resources supporting mental health and wellbeing in higher education. Her presentation, titled “Promoting Wellbeing in Higher Education: A Comprehensive Guide for Students and Academic Staff,” showcased MindGuard’s newly developed 100+ page open-access implementation guide.
At the heart of the guide are 26 detailed academic scenario guides, addressing a wide range of challenges affecting students and academic staff. These scenarios cover clinical and psychological conditions, academic performance pressures, as well as social and structural challenges within higher education environments.
Each scenario provides a structured approach to understanding the root drivers and behavioural manifestations of distress, alongside practical, step-by-step Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) action checklists. The resource is designed to support non-clinical staff and peer leaders in recognising early signs of distress, responding appropriately, and connecting individuals with relevant professional and institutional support.
The presentation highlighted the importance of moving towards practical, scenario-based approaches to mental health support in higher education. By providing accessible guidance for responding to specific situations, the MindGuard guide aims to strengthen early intervention, support informed responses to emerging challenges, and contribute to more supportive and compassionate academic environments.
The MindGuard implementation guide is freely available online and can be accessed through the project’s official website: https://mindguard-project.eu/