Policy and programme managers

Materials for policymakers and programme managers

Adolescent mental health requires systemic action across policies, programs, and services. Policymakers and programme managers play a key role in shaping strategies that prioritize prevention, expand access to specialized care, and ensure sustainable funding. Intersectoral collaboration across education, health, and social welfare strengthens service delivery and promotes long-term impact.

This platform provides evidence-based resources, including policy briefs, case studies, and research, to support the design, implementation, and evaluation of effective mental health programs. It offers guidance on impact measurement, quality assurance, and capacity-building for frontline workers, ensuring that interventions are scalable and responsive to diverse cultural and regional needs.

By integrating culturally relevant, trauma-informed approaches, policymakers and programme managers can build resilient systems that protect and promote adolescent wellbeing, even in the most challenging environments. 

Policy and programme managers skills:

  • Strengthening policies and frameworks  
  • Learning from case studies and best practices 
  • Incorporating evidence and research into policies and programmes
  • Ensuring youth participation in policy  and programmes
  • Workforce development
  • Crisis preparedness and response 

Policy briefs

Adolescent-friendly health services in Indonesia (Puskesmas)

Policy brief by UNICEF Indonesia

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The Circular: Social media bans

A synthesis of Learning Circle 1: Social media bans, by UNICEF Adolescent Mental Health Hub and MHPSS Collaborative

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Behavioural lens to improve adolescent wellbeing and access

Technical note focusing on Europe and Central Asia

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Understanding the impact of news on children’s wellbeing

Report by Internet Matters

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Policy case studies

Mental health support in primary health care (MENA)

Adolescents, pregnant women and new mothers in the Middle East and North Africa Region

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Improving adolescent mental health (Mongolia)

A multi-level, cross-sectoral response

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Mental health promotion in schools (Kazakhstan)

An intersectoral response to adolescents’ mental health needs

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Wellbeing through a whole-school approach (China)

The Social and Emotional Learning Project

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Research and evidence

Universal Parenting Interventions for Parents of Adolescents

A systematic overview of universal parenting interventions for adolescent mental health

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How can school-based programmes improve mental health?

An umbrella review and logic model focusing on low- and middle-income countries

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Effectiveness of School-Based Interventions

A systematic review of school-based interventions on adolescents' well-being

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A gamified digital mental health intervention in Africa

A cross-sectional evaluation of a large-scale implementation

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