Z Zurich Foundation
A UNICEF partner since 2021
Thriving Together
The Z Zurich Foundation and UNICEF partnership is sparking global action to promote young people's mental health and well-being
An estimated one in seven adolescents aged between 10 and 19 lives with a diagnosable mental health condition, and 50 per cent of mental health conditions develop before the age of 14. While adolescence can be a period of heightened risk for developing mental health conditions, it is also a critical time of life for developing healthy behaviours and social and emotional skills.
Yet, most countries around the world allocate relatively small budgets to support health systems, and within those budgets an even smaller proportion, just 2 per cent on average, is directed towards mental health support, severely limiting resources available for supporting young people.
Reimagining integrated solutions at scale for young people
Thriving Together takes a systems-change approach to address this gap head-on. By empowering governments, communities and individuals, the partnership helps promote adolescents’ mental health and wellbeing and prevent mental health conditions. Building on three years of success, its impact now extends to 15 programme countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan and Viet Nam.
At the heart of the Thriving Together partnership are innovative programme tools collaboratively developed and field-tested, offering innovative in-person as well as digital interventions. These tools provide adolescents and caregivers with useful information, skills and strategies on topics such as emotional regulation, stress management and problem solving. The partnership’s impact is being scaled through strengthening policy action and programmatic interventions to reach young people universally, including vulnerable groups.
Since its inception in September 2021, Thriving Together has positively impacted the lives of more than 900,000 adolescents and caregivers. The aim is to support at least 11 million people by 2027.
As a member of the UNICEF-led Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health, the Z Zurich Foundation advocates for increased investment and action on mental health. Launched with the support of the Z Zurich Foundation, the Coalition is an alliance of UNICEF private sector partners committed to addressing the increasing global burden of mental health in children and young people.
About Z Zurich Foundation
Z Zurich Foundation is a Swiss-based charitable foundation established by members of the Zurich Insurance Group. It is the main vehicle by which Zurich Insurance Group delivers on its global community investment strategy. Z Zurich Foundation works alongside Zurich Insurance Group employees, customers, business partners, as well as with governments and NGOs, in pursuit of a future where people can thrive in the face of increasing climate hazards and catastrophes, where those of us feeling the stresses of life are empowered to speak up, and where the marginalized in our society can reach their full potential. Visit the Z Zurich Foundation’s website to learn more about its work.
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