Middle East and North Africa
Materials from the region
Adolescents in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region navigate a complex landscape of mental health challenges, shaped by conflict, socioeconomic instability, and deep-rooted stigma. Exposure to conflict and political violence has led to a rise in post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among youth, with gender disparities in how these challenges manifest. Meanwhile, healthcare systems struggle with limited youth-specific services, underfunding, and poor sector coordination, while cultural stigma creates additional barriers to care.
Tackling adolescent mental health in MENA requires a holistic, cross-sectoral approach that not only improves mental health services but also addresses the socioeconomic and cultural drivers behind the crisis. In this section, explore how practitioners are supporting adolescent mental health in crisis-affected settings and beyond.