On 26 June 2026, the Association of Psychologists in Bulgaria (APB) organised the national MPAS dissemination seminar at Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” in Varna, Bulgaria. The face-to-face event, entitled “Mental Prevention through Art for Society (MPAS), Dissemination Seminar”, brought together 27 participants, including university students, lecturers, psychologists, artists and professionals interested in mental health promotion and creative methodologies.
The seminar aimed to present the main outcomes of the Art for the Prevention of Mental Health Problems (MPAS) project and to raise awareness of the potential of arts-based approaches in supporting young people’s wellbeing and preventing mental health issues. Participants were introduced to the overall objectives of the project, the MPAS methodology, the MPAS Toolkit, the e-learning course and the freely available project resources. Particular emphasis was placed on how the Toolkit can be used by artists, psychologists, educators, facilitators and youth workers in educational, psychological, community and artistic contexts.
A central part of the seminar was an experiential workshop based on the MPAS Toolkit activity “Reframing the Personal Story 2 – Shaking Hands with the Monster”, developed by Proyecto Nagual. Through guided journaling, self-reflection and group discussion, participants explored limiting beliefs, emotional awareness and resilience. The activity received very positive feedback and demonstrated the practical value and transferability of the MPAS methodology in higher education and mental health contexts.
The event created an important space for interdisciplinary dialogue between psychology, education and the arts. Participants discussed the growing need for innovative and preventive approaches to mental health among young people in Bulgaria, especially in relation to stress, anxiety, social isolation, identity formation and uncertainty about the future. They also explored how artistic methods can offer safe and inclusive spaces for young people to express emotions, strengthen their sense of identity and belonging, and develop healthier coping strategies.
The feedback from participants was highly positive. They appreciated the practical nature of the seminar, the balance between presentations and experiential learning, and the flexibility of the MPAS Toolkit for use in different professional settings. University lecturers recognised opportunities to integrate selected MPAS activities into teaching and student support, while psychologists highlighted the potential of the methodology for counselling, psychoeducational workshops and group work. Students also expressed interest in further exploring the project resources and applying arts-based approaches in their future professional practice.
Overall, the Bulgarian dissemination seminar successfully contributed to the visibility and sustainability of the MPAS project. It strengthened cooperation between APB and Varna Free University, encouraged the future use of the Toolkit and e-learning course, and engaged future psychologists, artists and educators as potential multipliers of the MPAS methodology in Bulgaria.