Third International Conference on Mental Health and Well-being of Children and Youth

Your excellencies, Minister Lončar, prof. Djukic-Dejanovic, Minister Zigmanov, Minister Stamenkovski, dear Fabio, Džana, ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we come together with a powerful vision: a world where every child and young person has their mental health prioritized. This vision is urgent, and together, we have the power to make it real.

Milica’s story is just one of many. Her struggles reflect the silent battles young people face every day. And these battles are often hidden. We must not ignore what we cannot see. Our children, young people, parents, caregivers, and all the professionals around them - they need our support - now - more than ever.

The mental health of our adolescents and youth is under pressure. Many suffer quietly, unable to share the weight they carry. For every Milica who finds the courage to speak and seek for help, there are countless others who don’t. We must be the ones to create a safe space for them - a place where they feel heard, valued, and supported.

Investing in mental health is essential. It is not optional. It is an investment in our future. Healthy children and young people become thriving adults—contributors, creators, and leaders. Every euro we invest in mental health brings back economic benefits many times over: reduced healthcare costs, fewer dropouts, lower crime, more productive workforce. When we invest in mental health, we are building a resilient society that can face any challenge.

For this – we should everyone involved in a young person’s life. Children and young people need guidance. Parents need the right tools. Teachers need training. And mental health professionals need resources. It takes a village to raise a child and a whole society to raise a healthy generation.

Serbia is leading the way! The Memorandum of Understanding between six key ministries, with the Ministry of Health at the helm, and the establishment of a Working Group on mental health, have laid a solid foundation. Our ongoing collaboration with WHO further supports these efforts, providing guidance and expertise. We cannot stop now. Let today be a turning point. Let us push further to ensure community mental health services are available to every child and every young person. More funding, prevention, early interventions, community-based care - these are the steps that will build a truly resilient nation.

Youth centres in Serbia are offering safe spaces for young people to express themselves and seek help. This is a major step forward. But we cannot stop here. The tragedy at Ribnikar last May highlighted the urgent need to support the mental health of our young people. We must ensure that every child and young person knows they matter, that they belong, and that they have a future worth striving for.

We know that the Government alone could not achieve this. We must act together. Governments, schools, communities, families, and partners—only together can we create a meaningful impact.

And we have an excellent start:

The commitment of our incredible partners—the Australian Embassy, the Norwegian Embassy, the Embassy of Israel, Delhaize, L'Oréal and the Electric Power Industry of Serbia—to working with UNICEF to improve mental health services for young people in Serbia is amazing. These partnerships amplify our reach. They make our work possible. Only together, we can reach more young people, offer more hope, and create lasting change.

The change requires courage. It takes energy. And it takes partnership. That is what today is all about.

Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Hvala!