Integration of Physical Activity and Psychosocial Support into the Modern Educational Space: an Analysis of the International «Game Connect» Program Effectiveness

Abstract

The article substantiates the theoretical foundations and analyzes the practical outcomes of the pedagogical potential of physical culture within international socio-educational projects. The research focuses on the strategic shift from traditional physical education paradigms toward the «Sport for Protection» model, where movement-based activities serve as a fundamental tool for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). The study investigates the activities of the AVSI Foundation and the «Game Connect» consortium (including Right To Play, War Child Holland, and Youth Alive) as a benchmark for systematic social change.

The author details the structure of the 12-week «Game Connect» curriculum, which integrates 13 categories of essential life skills, such as resilience, assertive communication, stress management, and conflict resolution. Based on the analysis of empirical data from randomized controlled trials, the article demonstrates the high efficiency of the program, specifically an 89% reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms among displaced youth. The study highlights that in the «Game Connect» methodology, health and well-being are viewed not as isolated goals but as integrated results of holistic education and «active design». Special attention is paid to the adaptation of international best practices to the current educational context of Ukraine. The author argues for the implementation of «Safe Spaces» and «Digital Learning Centres» as well as the use of adapted shelters for active play during emergencies. The findings emphasize the need for a new professional profile for physical education teachers, requiring competencies in MHPSS and trauma-informed pedagogy. The article concludes that investing in movement-based psychosocial interventions is crucial for the social inclusion and rehabilitation of children and youth affected by military conflicts, providing a sustainable framework for the «New Ukrainian School» reform.