Youth-led Action for Mental Health
Young people are transforming the global conversation on mental health
Globally about two per cent of government health budgets are allocated to mental health spending. In some countries it’s less than US$1 per person. These figures fall far short of treating mental health conditions, especially for those facing the greatest challenges, and promoting positive mental health for all.
Indeed, one of the biggest areas young people tell UNICEF they themselves want to influence are mental health programmes, policies, legislation, services, norms and research. They want to change the global conversation and public perception on mental health, and open up these spaces for more young people to speak freely. They want to see change.
As young people work to transform the mental health ecosystem, they may need differentiated support (as compared to changemakers working in other topics).
For example, young mental health changemakers may need support to navigate the stigma they encounter as public-facing mental health advocates. They may need guidance on how to manage, and offer referrals, when individuals in their communities disclose personal and sensitive mental health information to them. They may need extra support for their own mental wellness.
UNICEF, in partnership with the MHPSS Collaborative and young mental health changemakers from around the world, have adapted the Youth-Led Action Initiative to incorporate these specific needs. for young changemakers specifically looking to influence and transform mental health policies, programming, funding, and norms.
This tailored approach offers the same core components of the Initiative, but includes specific add-on sessions, stories, and examples specific to mental health action and changemaking to make the resources more relatable and useful to these changemakers.