The United Nations is increasing its focus on mental health as a fundamental human right, but there is still no dedicated UN resolution that places children and young people at the center of this issue. Although mental health has gradually gained attention in global discussions, the specific needs of children and youth are often missing.
This lack of clear and direct focus leads to fragmented action, inconsistent policies, and limited investment, especially in prevention and early intervention, even though affordable and effective solutions already exist.
Current global statistics show that one in seven adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 experiences a mental health condition. Many struggle in silence, with their issues going unnoticed and untreated. In several countries, suicide rates among young people aged 10 to 24 are increasing, highlighting the urgent need to act.
Despite the severity of the problem, the latest Mental Health Atlas shows that only a little over half of all countries have mental health policies that include children and adolescents. Less than half of the countries offer accessible mental health services in schools or communities.
To address these gaps, UNESCO, UNICEF, the UN Youth Office, and WHO are jointly calling for mental health support for children and youth to become a global priority. They want child and youth mental health to be clearly included in future UN resolutions, financial planning, and global monitoring systems.
The agencies are pushing for better coordination and stronger partnerships between governments, organizations, and youth networks to ensure that mental health programs are properly funded, effective, and inclusive.
A major part of the call emphasizes that young people should not just benefit from policies, they should actively shape them. The agencies want children and youth to participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of mental health programs.
They also stress the importance of prevention and early support by creating safe environments in schools, communities, and digital spaces.
In summary, the UN agencies are urging the world to take real action and invest in mental health systems that allow every child and young person to grow, thrive, and be heard.
