Supporting Mental Health in Young People: Integrated Methodology for cLinical dEcisions and evidence-based interventions

Project Information

SMILE

Grant agreement ID: 101080923

DOI

10.3030/101080923

EC signature date 14 March 2023

Start date 1 May 2023

End date 31 October 2026

Funded under

• Health

Total cost

€ 6 018 376,26

EU contribution

€ 6 018 376,25

Coordinated by

FTK-FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT FUR TELEKOMMUNIKATION UND KOOPERATION EV
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SMILE (Supporting Mental Health in Young People: Integrated Methodology for cLinical dEcisions and evidence-based interventions)

Reporting period: 2024-11-01 to 2025-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The SMILE project, funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe Programme, addresses the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders while improving mental health management for young people. It develops digital tools including an Open Knowledge Platform (OKP), Serious Game, and Companion App to support self-assessment, learning, and self-care, helping adolescents build resilience. By integrating multiple diagnostic data sources, SMILE’s predictive analytics assist clinicians in identifying risk factors. The project is validated through case studies in seven European countries (UK, Germany, Cyprus, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Italy) involving adolescents, parents, healthcare professionals, and researchers. With emphasis on accessibility, personalization, collaboration, and sustainability, SMILE aims to enhance mental health care quality and promote socio-economic, legal, and gender-sensitive impact.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the second period, SMILE consolidated its digital ecosystem for adolescent mental health by operationalizing its Open Knowledge Platform and integrating the Companion App, Serious Game, Self‑Assessment and Monitoring Framework (SAMF), FHIR-based health data server, and explainable decision-support environment into a secure infrastructure. The Serious Game and Companion App were finalized, deployed to major app stores, and connected to a blockchain-based incentive system. SAMF and the multimodal diary pipeline began generating structured digital biomarkers for scientific analysis.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The project’s multiplayer gamification system supports self-learning and emotional regulation via cognitive restructuring scenarios. In tandem, the Companion App encourages daily engagement and reflection. Living Labs across Europe validate tool usability and cultural adaptability, supported by continuous stakeholder feedback. The integrated OKP connects diagnostic data sources to enhance predictive analytics and clinical decision support. Completed milestones include system architecture, Serious Game and Awareness App prototypes, and deployment of the FHIR database and SMILE API. These outputs demonstrate secure collection and visualization of conversational, behavioral, and self-report data across sites. Early trial results suggest potential for improved risk detection, low-threshold interventions, and evidence-informed decision-making. Future work focuses on longitudinal validation, integration in healthcare and school environments, and alignment with European regulatory standards for sustainable deployment.