NCPH and UNICEF Expand Mental Health Support Programme for Children and Adolescents in Kazakhstan

Astana, 10 June 2026 – The National Centre for Public Health (NCPH), in partnership with UNICEF and with support from the Ministry of Health, is expanding a national programme to strengthen mental health services for children and adolescents. In June, the World Health Organization's mhGAP training begins in the Turkestan region, Almaty, and Shymkent.

Over the coming months, more than 900 healthcare professionals – including general practitioners, psychiatrists, and psychologists – will receive training in the early identification of psycho-emotional and behavioural disorders in children and adolescents, crisis assessment, and early intervention. 

National master trainers, who completed specialised training under the guidance of an international UNICEF expert, deliver the programme. They equip frontline specialists with practical tools to identify early signs of emotional distress and provide timely support before conditions escalate into severe crises.

The programme follows international guidelines from the World Health Organization and strengthens skills in early diagnosis; basic psychological support; risk assessment; and coordination between health, education, and social services.

The initiative forms part of the broader efforts of Kazakhstan to strengthen the mental health system for children and adolescents and implement the national roadmap for suicide prevention. In addition to training, the programme includes screening activities and mental health awareness sessions for adolescents and parents. It also provides for the introduction of social-emotional learning programmes in schools and colleges in pilot regions.

The programme focuses on adolescents aged 10–18 and aims to improve access to quality services, strengthen early risk detection, and expand support mechanisms for young people experiencing emotional difficulties.

The training provided to healthcare professionals forms part of a wider mental health programme for adolescents funded by proceeds raised at the 2025 UNICEF Charity Gala Dinner in Almaty. The programme aims to train 50,500 professionals in the education and health sectors, reach up to 140,000 adolescents nationwide, and provide up to 10,000 adolescents in need with access to individual and group counselling services.