Ahead of World Mental Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have published ‘Mental health of children and young people: Service guidance’ to support the transformation of mental health services for children and young people.
An estimated one in seven children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 is affected by a mental health condition, the most common of which are anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders. A third of mental health conditions develop by the age of 14 and half by the age of 18, so early intervention is key to helping children and young people thrive and reach their full potential. It’s essential.
Mental health services for children and young people are largely inaccessible
Despite the clear need for action, access to mental health services for children and young people remains inadequate. The majority of young people experiencing mental health symptoms are unable to access care due to systemic barriers such as low service availability, unaffordable costs, and stigma that prevent them from seeking help. Public funding and human resources for mental services in general are lacking globally, and mental health services for children and young people are virtually non-existent, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
“We must take action to ensure that evidence-based, age-appropriate interventions are available and affordable for all. “Regardless, we can do something to significantly improve the mental health of children, young people and their families,” said the director of mental health, brain health and substance use at the World Health Organization Deborah Kestel said.
Establishment of community-based mental health care
Supporting the mental health of children and young people requires a collective effort. This guidance outlines different models of quality mental health care services for children and young people and provides examples from around the world of what can be achieved in different settings. It also includes a wide range of initiatives to build mental health care and support networks in local communities, involving GPs, nurses, community mental health teams and other stakeholders in the health, education, social care and juvenile justice systems. It also provides good practice examples.
The guidance also calls attention to the millions of children around the world who have living family members but are institutionalized with mental health conditions. This practice violates their human rights and leads to poor health and social outcomes, as outlined in major international frameworks. The report calls for phasing out institutional care in favor of community-based services that allow children to thrive in their families and communities, ensuring continuity in education, social relationships, and overall development. I’m asking you to.
“The mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and their families cannot be addressed in isolation. We need to build a comprehensive network of services. It is our collective responsibility to prioritize the mental health of children and adolescents as part of their overall well-being,” said Fawzia, Associate Director for Health at UNICEF New York. – Shafiq said.
A roadmap for improving mental health services for children and young people
This guidance is aimed at policy makers, health service planners and mental health professionals and introduces key areas of mental health care standards, with a focus on service co-design, workforce development and strengthening. , provides a roadmap for rebuilding existing services and developing new ones. Collaborative care practices and improved informed decision-making and accountability in service delivery.
By taking these steps to address key barriers to accessing mental health care, countries can significantly improve mental health outcomes for children and young people.
