IMPROVA: boosting teen mental health in Europe and beyond

IMPROVA is an international, interdisciplinary consortium of researchers and practitioners from health, education, social sciences, computer science, teacher associations, and policymaking. Among its members are researchers from Dynamics of Youth and Interdisciplinary Social Science at Utrecht University.

In this interview, researchers Sarah Jack and Rocío García-Carrión share how co-creation and cross-border collaboration drive their work within IMPROVA, highlighting practical strategies to boost mental well-being and reduce early school leaving among adolescents.

What inspired you to pursue research that crosses the boundaries of disciplines and countries?

Rocío & Sarah: “We were drawn to the IMPROVA project because of its co-creation approach. This method brings together teenagers, families, educators, and researchers from diverse disciplines to collaboratively develop solutions. Our previous experience in usingresearch to build a more inclusive society aligned perfectly with IMPROVA’s goal: to promote mental well-being in secondary schools across Europe and beyond by creating interventions that combine digital tools with classroom-based strategies. The scale and complexity of the mental health crisis among young people today require a collaborative approach that cuts across disciplines, sectors, and borders. By engaging policymakers, educators, researchers, families, and—most importantly—young people themselves, we can address this urgent issue in ways that reflect the realities of those most affected. IMPROVA’s co-creation model ensures that the voices of young people are heard and that the interventions are both meaningful and practical for the communities they aim to support. While addressing a global challenge, the work in the project is locally grounded, creating culturally responsive knowledge that can be shared with the broader mental health community.”

What are some of the key findings in your work that you’re most proud of?

Rocío: “To us, our work on tackling early school leaving is particularly important. It has shown how schools can act as learning communities by engaging families and local stakeholders. When  communities come together to implement evidence-based actions and interventions, the results can be transformative. We’ve seen vulnerable youth—many of whom had little hope for their futures—begin to dream and pursue further education against all odds. By fostering a sense of connection, these students thrived and became role models for their younger peers, creating a ripple effect
of positivity and opportunity. This co-creation approach has shown us that research grounded in the lived experiences of communities produces the most impactful results. We’ve turned challenges into opportunities by listening to all voices and working together. For example, in one project, the implementation of a dialogue-based classroom strategy named dialogic gatherings improved learning outcomes in schools across Europe, Latin America, and Africa, proving that such approaches can be successfully adapted across very different cultural and social contexts.

If you’re curious to learn more about this work on preventing early school leaving among vulnerable youth, you can read more about our findings here.

What are the real-world implications of your findings?

Rocío: “Our research provides practical strategies that can be easily integrated into existing school systems. For teachers, we’ve identified classroom interventions that improve both learning and social-emotional outcomes. These strategies are straightforward, simple, and replicable and don’t require significant changes to the curriculum. They’re designed to work in various educational contexts, making them accessible to a wide range of schools and teachers. For policymakers, our findings offer evidence-based solutions that don’t require large-scale reforms or major increases in funding. Supporting these researchbased strategies can help create safe, supportive learning environments where students—children, adolescents, and young adults—can thrive both academically and personally. This is a practical way to use scientific evidence to address the needs of young people, especially those in vulnerable situations. Parents can also apply these insights at home by
reinforcing positive interactions and principles that align with their children’s development. Creating a community-wide approach to well-being can help children and adolescents succeed in all aspects of their lives.

Overall, two key lessons stand out for us. First, addressing complex challenges such as mental health and education requires the integration of diverse perspectives from science, culture, and local contexts. Second, approaches that work in one region can often be adapted and applied in others, demonstrating the universal potential of evidence-based strategies.”

Knowing that our work has the potential to make a real difference keeps me inspired every day.

What motivates you to keep working in this area?

Rocío: “This work has deeply influenced me as a researcher, an educator, and a woman. Over nearly two decades in academia, I’ve seen how educational research can change—and sometimes even save—lives. I carry with me the voices of Roma children, migrants, and students with disabilities—many of whom see school as their only path to a better future. Knowing that the evidence we provide can create opportunities for these children motivates me to continue this work. Helping them thrive isn’t just about education—it’s about giving them the chance to dream and achieve a
better life.”

Sarah: “This is my first experience working on an interdisciplinary project, and I’ve been amazed at how a diverse team of researchers, educators, and community members can come together to address such a complex issue. The IMPROVA project has shown me the power of collaboration across disciplines and cultures. What motivates me most is the shared commitment among
our team to improving mental well-being in schools. Knowing that our work has the potential to make a real difference keeps me inspired every day.”