Together in Health

Purpose

The primary purpose of the project is to improve the health of young people aged 13-18 in vulnerable positions through a tailor-made app and supportive communities that foster physical activity.

The project aims to:

• Promote physical activity
• Support young people in finding meaningful communities 
• Provide them with resources to cope with mental health challenges

Objectives

In collaboration with local sports clubs, cross-sector partnerships, and health professionals, the project seeks to create an inclusive and supportive environment where young people can develop healthy habits and strengthen their mental health. The goal is to motivate, inspire, and guide them towards active communities.

Specific objectives include: 

• Acquiring knowledge about young people in vulnerable positions, focusing on the barriers and opportunities for developing healthy habits
• Developing a digital place for young people aged 13-18, emphasizing elements that influence their mental and physical well-being
• Creating a dialogue-based concept for the digital tool, where topics are introduced and discussed in classroom settings or with relevant professionals
• Producing tools and content for the “Together in Health” app, including texts, videos, exercises, self-monitoring tools, inspiration for healthy habits, relaxation exercises, etc
• Testing and evaluating the concept as well as the process of developing the app
• Developing and testing a model for engaging and retaining the target group within local sports clubs through "The Good Welcome" initiative
• Describing the potential, challenges, and costs associated with operating the concept beyond the project period
• Communicating project results to inspire other organizations.

Background

More and more young people are experiencing mental health challenges, leading to stress, anxiety, depression, and other related issues. At the same time, sedentary lifestyles may contribute to physical health problems such as obesity and poor physical fitness. Lifestyle choices have long-term effects on individual health and constitute an urgent public health challenge.

Research, previous initiatives aimed at the target group, and inputs from professionals point to several key areas affecting young people’s well-being. These areas include physical activity, mental health, nutrition, sleep habits, social relations, sexuality, digital habits, and drug use.

Activities

Several key activities contribute to the goal of the project:

• The development of a user-oriented app called “Together in Health”, which contain tools and resources to promote physical activity and mental well-being
• Adjustment and testing the app, developed in close collaboration with experts, professionals, and the young people themselves to ensure relevance and effectiveness
• Promoting inclusive environments in collaboration with local sports clubs and DGI (Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations) to develop “The Good Welcome”- a concept that aims to promote a supportive environment for young people
• Development of competencies and support for professionals such as teachers, educators, and other practitioners so that they can support young people in using the app and its resources
• Evaluation and adjustment through continuous data collection and feedback to ensure that the impact, content, and functionality of the app are modified as needed
• By combining the digital platform with a competence development tool for professionals, we aim to create a holistic support system that can make a positive difference in the lives of young people.

Project contributions from Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark 

The Digital Health Centre is a partnership established in 2013 that includes 30 municipalities, Region of Southern Denmark, and several patient associations. The partnership offers a range of digital programs aimed at strengthening the management of chronic illnesses, promoting health literacy, and motivating lifestyle changes. 

In this project, we build on the existing organization. The project management is handled by Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark, which will lead the project, coordinate contracts, assess needs, arrange workshops, facilitate meetings, and ensure cross-sector communication. 

The project will have a project group and a steering committee that brings together all relevant partners. The project group will meet every two months, while the steering committee will meet approximately every three months. Start-off and closing meetings will be held to ensure clear communication and collaboration.

Partners

The project draws on existing knowledge about physical and mental health from regional partners, while municipalities and DGI contribute with their expertise and access to the target group through education, social initiatives, and volunteer sports activities. For further expertise and evaluation, research institutions are also involved, providing a solid foundation for the project.

Additionally, experiences from previous projects and solutions are integrated. This includes the “Mindhelper” platform, developed by the Centre for Digital Psychiatry, which supports young people in managing mental health challenges. The municipalities have extensive experience with initiatives for young people in vulnerable positions, and DGI has a long tradition of collaborating with municipalities, particularly in engaging young people in local sports activities.

Key partners include:

• The young people: Their inputs are essential to obtain knowledge and understanding of the target group’s experiences and needs
• Municipalities: They contribute their expertise in working with young people and have many years of experience with this demographic
• Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark: is responsible for project management with extensive experience in user‑oriented innovation and digitization
• Centre for Digital Psychiatry: are known for their expertise in digital services for citizens with mental and psychological challenges, including the prevention of mental health issues among young people
• DGI (Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations): participates in the project to identify models for the inclusion and retention of young people within local sports offerings, ensuring that they stay active
• Several sports clubs participate with passionate volunteers
• The Research Unit of General Practice, University of Southern Denmark: contributes with their specialized knowledge in evaluating health innovation projects and will be responsible for designing and implementing the project evaluation
• Regional Development, Region of Southern Denmark: work to involve citizens in developing initiatives for mental and physical well-being, aiming to develop, test, and disseminate effective initiatives.

Moreover, content and platform providers for the development of the app itself will be involved, as well as additional relevant partners and volunteer organizations where possible. Together, these partners form a strong team that combines digital development leadership, cross‑sector collaboration, and local expertise to deliver targeted digital health services for young people.

Funding

The project is funded by a grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation “Inequity in Health – supporting healthy lives for children and youth in vulnerable positions”

Project Duration

The project runs from January 1, 2025, to  December 31, 2027.