Principles and Objectives of the Heracles-Hebe Foundation of the Danube Private University

The name of the foundation refers to role models from Greek mythology and their special virtues. Heracles, the famous hero of Greek mythology, is associated with the creation of the Olympic Games. He serves as a role model for strength, endurance and wisdom, inspiring young people, athletes and all those who strive for a long and healthy life. His wife Hebe, the goddess of youth, symbolizes vigor and immortality. The combination of these virtues, underpinned by the philosophical model of humanism, which also has ancient roots, forms the value-based base of this foundation. In the pursuit of a long and healthy life, two Apollonian pieces of wisdom from Delphi should not be overlooked: “gnṓthi seautón” (Know thyself) and “medèn ágan” (Nothing in excess). In today’s society, these two aphorisms can be understood as a call to recognize our individual mental and physical needs, and thus also the advantages of a conscious and moderate lifestyle.

The health and health behavior of young people are increasingly the focus of international scientific and health policy discussions. In light of global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, geopolitical conflicts and economic uncertainties, the pressure on young people is growing significantly. These external stress factors have a noticeable impact on the physical and, above all, mental well-being of young people, as demonstrated by the latest HBSC study (Health Behavior in School-aged Children), which uses data from 2021 and 2022. This is a cross-national study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the health and well-being of young people from 44 countries (Cosma et al. 2023). Current data from Austria shows that there has been an alarming increase in mental health issues among young people, especially girls aged 13 and above (Felder-Puig et al. 2023). Symptoms such as sleep disorders, depressive moods, psychosomatic complaints, and increased stress perception are on the rise. At the same time, many young people report increased pressure to perform, social tensions, and uncertainties about their prospects. This may also be linked to the increase in violent crime and victimization rates in the ‘post-Covid 19’ years 2022/23 (DJI 2024, BMI 2025). The pandemic seems to have acted as an accelerator of existing problems, for example, through social isolation and reduced access to leisure activities and support services (Felder-Puig et al. 2023). There is also evidence of increasing physical inactivity and increased media consumption.

Health recommendations from the Heracles-Hebe Foundation of the Danube Private University, which are not exclusively intended for young people, can counteract the often illness-ridden life of old age, accompanied by a low quality of life, and result in a significant increase in the number of healthy years.

¹ Launched in 1982, this study is the largest European survey on the health of children and adolescents. It is conducted every four years using a self-administered questionnaire and provides insights into self-perception of young people.

The use of social media carries the risk of cyberbullying, gaming addiction, loss of touch with reality (living in a parallel world), and even the development of distorted self-perception, anxiety, and depression, which is accompanied by a decline in performance at school. In addition, digital food advertising (e.g. on Instagram, TikTok) has a significant influence on the eating habits of young people and can contribute to obesity and long-term health problems. The results of a 2023 study on the digital advertising environment for young people show that the majority of advertised products do not meet the criteria of the WHO and the Austrian nutritional profile, and are therefore not suitable for young people in their developmental phase (Winzer et al. 2023). The fact that life satisfaction among large sections of the young population is relatively stable (Felder-Puig et al. 2023) can at best be described as hopeful, as it indicates a certain resilience to difficult life situations, which, however, needs to be strengthened in the long term.

The studies cited highlight problem areas that continue to have an impact in adulthood and can have a lasting negative effect on physical and mental well-being (Rod et al. 2025). The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine defines young adulthood as the age range from 18 to 25 and points out that this is a unique and critical developmental phase in which health needs, both physical and mental, and social disadvantages are particularly pronounced. In this age group, targeted prevention and intervention strategies still have the potential to counteract unfavorable developmental processes relatively easily and reduce the risk of potential health hazards with advancing age (SAHM 2017). However, even at an advanced age, it is always possible to choose a healthy lifestyle and minimize risks.

Each of us strives to reach old age with a good quality of life, but this is not guaranteed for the majority of people. Compared to earlier times or today’s developing countries, prosperity dominates our Western society. While the past was marked by devastating epidemics that have been successfully combated by medical advances, modern society is confronted with new health challenges. Four chronic age-related diseases, often described as the four horsemen of disease, play a central role here: cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (Attia 2024). It is important to recognize that the groundwork for these ‘age-related’ diseases is laid in youth and that our own misconduct in dealing with health can contribute to this. The ever-faster advances in medicine have brought therapeutic successes that offer treatment options which, at best, delay or even prevent the progression of disease, but which can also end in a slow decline without quality of life. It is therefore not just a matter of treating and curing diseases in order to extend our lifespan, but of living our entire lives in a healthy, active, and fulfilling way. Medical expertise (early preventive check-ups, personalized medicine), and personal responsibility for our lifestyle (daily exercise, a balanced, personalized diet, and emotional well-being) must go hand in hand. Early proactive intervention with the raising of awareness on this issue among the young population is essential, but so is promotion and support among older age groups.

Mental health is essential for our emotional well-being. It influences how we think, feel, deal with stress (emotional stability), form relationships (social competence), and make decisions (clear, structured thinking). This was already expressed in ancient times with the well-known saying ‘Mens sana in corpore sano’. Therefore, mental and social health – at all ages – must be promoted and protected just as much as physical health. In this context, it should be remembered that the WHO defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being’ and not merely ‘the absence of disease or infirmity’ (WHO 2020). This far-sighted definition was established by the founding fathers of the WHO in 1948 and reflects the holistic approach to health in modern medicine. A holistic concept of health is the goal, but it is not fundamentally anchored in the health system or in the values of the population.

In 2019, the WHO published a groundbreaking study highlighting the positive effects of art on health (Fancourt & Finn 2019). The results of more than 3,000 studies show that the arts play an important role in disease prevention, health promotion, and the management and treatment of diseases throughout the entire lifespan, primarily by strengthening well-being as a mental booster. The positive effect was also recently discussed in the journal Nature Medicine (Makri 2025). Various projects illustrate how art – from dance and music to painting – is used to promote well-being, and prevent and treat disease. Despite the positive results, however, there is still lively debate about the extent to which art can be integrated into health policy as a form of therapy. The initiative often lies with private and non-profit associations.

In view of the current crisis hotspots, particularly in the geopolitical neighborhood, a frequently neglected but socially relevant issue should also be addressed. War experiences such as violence, death, displacement or the loss of loved ones often lead to psychological trauma and trauma-related disorders (e.g. post-traumatic stress disorder – PTSD). War has a profound and multifaceted impact on children and young people, both in the short term and with long-term consequences for their psychological, physical, social and emotional development (Zasiekina et al. 2025), but many other terrible experiences, such as natural disasters, mass shootings or accidents, can also lead to such psychological trauma. Research emphasizes the need to support both those affected and those providing assistance in such stressful situations. Here, too, the Heracles-Hebe Foundation of the Danube Private University aims to provide support through symposia and further training.

Promoting health and healthy behavior is a key social task that requires holistic measures tailored to specific target groups. In view of the increasing physical and psychological strains caused by lack of exercise, unhealthy nutrition, digital overload and psychosocial stress, which are associated with depression, obesity and diabetes in the long term, a preventive and interdisciplinary approach is necessary (Rod et al. 2025). Key areas of action include strengthening mental and social health, improving eating habits through education, promoting physical activity in everyday life, and improving media literacy, especially with regard to the problem of media addiction and dealing with fake news and hate speech. The measures called for can have an impact at the individual, family and societal levels, and thus positively influence behavior and lifestyle.

The Hercales-Hebe Foundation of the Danube Private University aims to contribute in the areas of healthy nutrition, physical activity, and mental and social health by providing educational content in the form of lectures, internships and information platforms.

Information on a healthy diet is provided, for example, through lectures and cooking events. This is not just about avoiding obesity, as mental health also benefits from a healthy diet. Important nutrients include complex carbohydrates (e.g. whole-meal products, legumes), which ensure stable blood sugar levels, and ‘brain-friendly’ nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and magnesium, which have a positive effect on performance and mood. Information about the microbiome and its importance for oral health and a healthy gut is also relevant content.

Sporting activities should form a connecting element on a social and health level. Neuroathletics, which has already been successfully introduced into professional sport, offers a new aspect. This is a training approach that focuses on nervous system-centered training. The exercises are based on the fact that movement is not only a muscular process, but above all a neurological one – controlled by the brain and associated systems (e.g. sense of balance, visual system, proprioceptive system). In collaboration with specialists, this can be used to promote individual performance in both sport and everyday life in a targeted manner. In addition, neuroathletics can have a positive impact on mental health by improving self-regulation in terms of tension, stress and anxiety, strengthening body awareness, and reducing stress and inner turmoil. Highly talented athletes, as honorary members of the Heracles-Hebe Foundation of the Danube Private University, support this and spark joy and interest in sporting activities.

Mental and social strengthening is particularly relevant for young adults in vocational training and higher education, as this is the first phase of life in which they are required to take on significant personal responsibility. Exam stress and a distorted sense of self-efficacy leave many feeling overwhelmed and alone with their fear of failure. Psychotherapeutic counselling can provide support here. This initiative is also aimed at adults who are exposed to psychological stress. Strengthening mental and social health requires an interconnected system of medical care, psychosocial support, and social recognition.

Another key concern is to strengthen society’s understanding and appreciation of the fine arts and culture by integrating the humanities and all forms of artistic expression. Art and cultural projects can have a positive influence on the health and health behavior of people of all ages in many ways. For example, literature, music, and the visual arts are said to have healing powers. By incorporating art, medicine deepens its humanistic dimension. Due to their diverse forms of expression, artistic and cultural activities offer a space for self-realization, promote social relationships and creativity, and strengthen resilience in the face of individual life crises and global injustices. Strengthening cultural development works against war.

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