Rebuilding school from within: mental Health, meaning, and community

On December 4th, we experienced one of those moments that remind us why we do what we do. Together with the Romanian Senate, through the Committee for Education, Science, and Innovation, we organized the event “Rebuilding School from Within: Mental Health, Meaning, and Community”, an initiative designed to highlight the importance of a people-centered approach to education.

The event created a vibrant and inspiring space where participants had the opportunity to share ideas, experiences, and best practices, and to listen to stories and perspectives different yet united by the same goal: to restore the school’s power to be a place that supports, protects, and inspires. Through interactive discussions, panels, and reflection sessions, we explored how mental health, meaningful learning, and the impact of community can transform the school from within.

For us, each gathering of this kind confirms that our work is taking root. It shows that in Romania there are teachers, students, researchers, specialists, policymakers, and educational leaders who believe, as we do, that school transformation is driven not only by policies or buildings but by people. In total, 170 such individuals demonstrated the power and authenticity of a community sharing the same vision.

From the very beginning, the atmosphere was one of inspiration and responsibility. Senator Adelina Dobra, moderator of the event, together with Mircea Abrudean, President of the Romanian Senate, and Simona Baciu, President and Founder of InIm Institute, conveyed the message that real change in education begins with people and the relationships between them.

The event continued with discussions on institutional perspectives, where educational leaders shared visions and solutions for healthier and more inclusive schools:

• Daniel David, Minister of Education and Research
• Luciana Antoci, State Counselor, Prime Minister’s Chancellery
• Carmen Proteasa, Director, Education Directorate, Timișoara City Hall
• Senator Irineu Darău, President, Committee for Education, Science, and Innovation

This was followed by presentations of successful projects demonstrating that transformation is already underway:

• InIm Institute: well-being programs in schools and the Being Romania research, presented by Simona Baciu and Otilia Calfa
• Rethink App: mental health & cyberbullying, presented by Prof. Dr. Daniela Dumulescu, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca
• WellBeing Moisil: presented by Prof. Alexandra Dragomirescu, student Maria Udrea, and Ng Aik Yang, co-founder of HoloTracker
• Școala Încrederii: presented by Letiția Suciu, Coordinator, and Diana Brătucu, Principal, Traian Secondary School, Craiova
• Zbor: youth clubs, presented by Roxana Marcu, CSR Specialist, BCR

The event concluded with the presentation of the study “Raising Healthy Generations,” delivered by Dr. Alina Epure, followed by an interactive session with students, where we explored together solutions for well-being in schools.

We are deeply grateful to the Romanian Senate for their genuine partnership and openness in creating a real space for dialogue. Our thanks go to Senator Adelina Dobra, Petronela Dobrin, Lect. Univ. Dr. Oana Moșoiu (Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest), and all those who made this event possible. We are equally grateful to every participant who brought ideas, courage, and the desire to build differently.

A school lives through its people.

When teachers are well, children thrive.

When children find meaning, learning gains direction.

When the community supports the school, transformation becomes possible.

At InIm Institute, we believe that real change begins with relationships and the way we see one another. And, above all, we believe that rebuilding school always starts from within.