UPSHIFT: Transforming Mental Health Support in Schools
If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure where to turn, remember that help is just a click away.
How often have friends confided in you about feeling depressed or anxious? How many times have you heard about nightmares disrupting their sleep or struggles with mental health? It’s likely more than you realize. The truth is, these conversations are happening every day, and we need to take a closer look at the root cause. Mental health has long been an overlooked aspect of youth’s well-being. However, its impact on the future of young people is undeniable. With mounting pressures from academics, social dynamics, and personal challenges, young people often struggle in silence. What if there were a way to provide accessible mental health support, exactly where it’s needed?
This question drove the Visionaries' project, launched by three students from the ICT department at Elbasan Vocational School. Coached and mentored by ICT Labs through UNICEF’s UPSHIFT programme, they developed an innovative proposal aimed at supporting students facing mental health challenges. Their goal was to provide practical, accessible tools to help students cope in real time.
The Visionaries’ project is focused on young people struggling with mental health, whether due to stressful exams, personal issues, or social pressures. Many students, however, lack access to the support they desperately need.
Keisi, one of the group members, points out, “Many students face mental health challenges, but due to stigma, they avoid seeking medical help, suffering in silence as their problems worsen over time.”
Noel, another team member, explains their idea: “Our target group includes boys and girls who need immediate, accessible support in times of crisis or emotional distress. We want to provide them with a safe space to reflect, relax, and recover—no matter where they are.”
The team’s inspiration came from their own experiences. They had witnessed the toll that mental health struggles take on youth in their community. As Noel says, “Some of us have faced difficult moments ourselves, and others have witnessed friends and classmates battling anxiety, stress, and other mental health challenges.” These firsthand experiences, combined with the stigma surrounding mental health, motivated them to create a solution that could truly make a difference.
The team developed two accessible platforms designed to support mental health and well-being in an efficient, easy-to-use way:
Mood Circle: A platform where users can discreetly share their concerns and receive five real-time tips. These tips are specifically designed to provide quick and effective support to help users cope with their emotions.
Jellyfin: A platform where users can watch a series or documentary or listen to a podcast, all designed to help them relax while simultaneously providing valuable mental health advice.
But their innovation didn’t stop there. They also introduced Calm Oasis, a physical space in their school library that blends traditional calming room methods with advanced technology. The Oasis offers a sanctuary for emotional recovery and creative expression.
This room creates a therapeutic environment where students can recover mentally and emotionally, ensuring they feel supported in moments of stress or overwhelm.
The team didn’t just stop at creating an app and a room. They took concrete steps to bring their vision to life. First, they held brainstorming sessions with their mentor, refining their ideas and mapping out their approach. They then conducted extensive research to ensure that the project would be both effective and well received.
Collaborating with school management, they secured approval to ensure that the Oasis wouldn’t interfere with academic activities. They wisely used the budget provided by the UPSHIFT programme to equip Calm Oasis with the necessary tools and to enhance the functionality of the app.
To raise awareness, they created a dedicated blog on the school’s website to inform the community about their project.
Calm Oasis has been operational for over a month, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Students praise the space for its calming atmosphere, while teachers have noticed significant improvements in students' emotional well-being.
Desanta says: “Our blog has also been instrumental in spreading awareness about mental health and encouraging others to use the resources available to them. With more students using Calm Oasis, we are seeing firsthand how a simple idea can transform a community. We are so grateful for the support provided by UNICEF—the go-to organization for youth empowerment.
The team hopes to expand their project and offer similar initiatives to other schools. They hope to inspire other schools to adopt similar models, making mental health support a core part of the student experience.
Murat Sahin, the UNICEF Representative, says: “At UNICEF Albania, we are proud to support programmes like this one, which empower youth to take charge of their mental health. Mental health and well-being is not just an individual issue—it’s a community matter. By providing the right support and coaching, we enable young people to navigate life’s challenges with resilience. It’s crucial that students, teachers, and parents work together to create environments where mental health is prioritized, open discussions are encouraged, and safe spaces are available for those in need. Let's move beyond just talking about mental health—let's make it a priority and take meaningful action”.
A Call to Action
If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure where to turn, remember that help is just a click away. Thanks to the innovative ideas of young people, platforms are now available to guide you through tough moments. Reach out, seek support, and take the first step toward healing. You don’t have to go through it alone.
