ISA – International Schools Association
“Taking Care of You and Me” (Cuidándonos)
International Schools Association
October 10th, 2025
World Mental Health Day
Mental Health Day provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on and highlight key aspects of emotional wellbeing, especially in childhood and adolescence. For a long time, mental health has been a silenced topic, surrounded by stigma, prejudice and fear. It is necessary to open up spaces where it can be talked about naturally, with empathy and commitment.
Organiser:
Colegio Internacional Ausiàs March
(Valencia, España)
Transylvania College
(Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
Presenting the project coordinators:
Colegio Internacional Ausiàs March
At CIAM we work to promote positive coexistence, mental health and socio-emotional skills through coordination and networking between the Safeguarding Team, the Counseling Department, tutors and families. Our purpose is achieved through: Initial detection, Assessment, Interventions, Emotional Education supported by staff training.
Transylvania College
Our purpose is to perfect the community that connects and cares for the emotional and academic wellbeing of every child.
We are leaders. We belong. Growth is a journey, not a destination, we value progress and not perfection. We do our best from a place of authenticity, integrity and responsibility for our words, actions and feelings. Through personal leadership, we find a path to meaning and fulfillment. We lead a mindful, healthy life, having a private practice of recharging, renewal and ongoing learning.
Based on our philosophy TEACH. CONNECT. CARE, we started to plan and model different practices like:
- support groups for teenagers
- coaching sessions for students and teachers
- circles
Team leading the Project
- Colegio Internacional Ausiàs March – Guidance Department:
- Victoria Ramírez – Infant and 1st Primary
- Ainara Juan – Primary School
- Laura González – Safeguarding Leader
- Toñi Mafé – Secondary School and Baccalaureate
- María Pérez (IB Diploma Programme
Coordinator)
- Transylvania College – Wellbeing Department
- Cristina Ungvari – Psychologist /Director of Wellbeing
- Alexandra Potinteu – School counselor; Dance/movement therapist
- Veronica Bogdan – School counselor;
- Simina Bejenaru – Global Awareness & Leadership
The project will involve all stages and the teaching and non-teaching staff of the school.
General goals
- Promote mental health and emotional well-being of the whole educational community by raising awareness about the importance of healthy relationships in the school environment.
- Encourage the identification, management and appropriate expression of emotions in a safe,
respectful and supportive environment by educating students, teachers, and parents about communication, empathy, respect, and boundaries. - Prevent possible psychosocial risk factors, such as stress, bullying or violence, through educational strategies, awareness-raising workshops, and early detection of signs of emotional distress in pupils by creating a safe and inclusive space where students can share their experiences and learn from each other.
- To foster a culture of positive, inclusive and participatory coexistence, based on mutual respect, empathy, assertive communication and peaceful conflict resolution among the different members of the school community by encouraging practical actions and peer-led initiatives that support mental health and social well-being.
Event Background
MOTTO “CARING FOR EACH OTHER TO LIVE TOGETHER – HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND SELFCARE”.
Mental Health Day provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on and highlight key aspects of emotional wellbeing, especially in childhood and adolescence. For a long time, mental health has been a silenced topic, surrounded by stigma, prejudice and fear. It is necessary to open up spaces where it can be talked about naturally, with empathy and commitment.
This year we want to focus on SELF-CARE, under the slogan: “Taking care of ourselves in order to livetogether”. Because only when we are well with ourselves can we be well with others. Taking care ofourselves is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It means paying attention to our rest, our diet, our emotions and our relationships. It means stopping, listening to ourselves and prioritising ourselves, without guilt.
At school age, this means helping children and adolescents to establish healthy routines: getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, moving around, managing stress, asking for help when they need it and interacting respectfully with others. Mental hygiene should have the same place as physical hygiene. Just as we teach them to wash their hands, we must teach them to take care of their thoughts, to set limits and to recognise their emotions.
Caring for each other means recognising that individual well-being and collective well-being are deeply connected. When everyone feels good about themselves, it is easier for them to act with empathy, respect and cooperation. Thus, coexistence improves and the environment becomes safer and more humane for all.
Today we remember that mental health is also a matter for children and adolescents, and that accompanying them in their self-care is a task for everyone: families, educators, peers and society.
Mental Health Day provides a powerful opportunity to explore one of the key pillars of mental well-being: relationships. Whether between classmates, teachers, or peers, healthy relationships foster trust, reduce stress, and improve academic and emotional outcomes. This year’s theme – “TAKING CARE OF YOU AND ME – CUIDÁNDONOS “.- encourages participants to reflect on how positive interactions can be developed and maintained within the school community.
How to Participate
Activities (6 Weeks)
Infants and 1st Primary Activities:
- Recognition and expression of basic emotions (through art, play, stories and group dynamics).
- Promotion of self-care and calm (breathing, calm boxes, emotional diaries).
- Positive coexistence and social skills (empathy, good deeds, simple conflict resolution).
Wrap up activity: THE FOREST OF FEELINGS and HUGGING BENCH DECORATION
Primary Education Activities:
- Positive communication dynamics / constructive and assertive language.
- Emotional management and self-care activities
- Mediation and conflict resolution.
Wrap up activity: LOVE, FRIENDSHIP AND HUGS IN ART panel decoration and HUGGING BENCH DECORATION
Secondary / Middle School Baccalaureate / High School:
- Activities with myths that Secondary can do to Primary (traffic light, cards, agree/disagree dividing line).
Wrap up activity: WORKSHOPS panel decoration, SONGS and HUGGING BENCH DECORATION
EXTRA: THE LIBRARY: Panels on words and books connected to mental health
Form a Team
- Create a group of 3-10 students and identify a teacher or counselor as your mentor.
Choose a Sub-topic
Select a focus area under the theme. Example topics:
Managing conflict
focus on healthy and unhealthy behaviours
Building trust and boundaries
how to set limits and having difficult conversations
what is bullying and what is teasing – where is the limit?
Recognizing toxic friendships
to name and work on learning to raise the level of respect and positive communication
Supporting peers with empathy
encourage positive interactions
Teacher-student communication
coaching sessions around behaviour and monitor with accountability the progress
Online vs. offline relationships
cyberbullying
Create Your Project (and implement it with the younger classes in your school)
Design an activity, presentation, or product around your chosen topic. Some suggestions:
- Host a classroom workshop or discussion
- Create posters or a short video to raise awareness
- Write and perform a short play or role-play scenarios
- Start a “Kindness Challenge” in your school
- Design a peer-support initiative or friendship club
All Stages:
- Activities and painting “Hugging bench”.
- Panel decorations
- Quiet / Calming corner
- Kindness mailbox
- Restorative circles
FINAL ACT (each school: 8TH Oct.; online meet all participants from ISA Schools 10TH Oct.)
- Selection of phrases from the kindness box (next course to be put in the diary as an acknowledgement).
- Inauguration of the hug bench / calming corner / … (with the word “friendship” in several languages;
words expressing feelings or emotional needs). - Songs
A short summary (video / slideshow / interview / written report) of your activity explaining your experience within the project … to be included in the final online event.
SHARING RESULTS / PARTICIPATION IN THE FINAL MEETING/EXHIBITION (24TH OCTOBER)
Join the Online Final Event
Participate in the online celebration with other schools.
Share your project, listen to guest speakers, and engage in activities around mental health and relationships.
Video of joint activities to be posted on the web and shared at the final online event.
Closing: reading/speech/poem (possible one per stage)
Joint song – “Color esperanza” Diego Torres – short recording from each participating school and create a video together