Additionally, a third of mental health conditions appear before age 14 and half before age 18.
Published in advance World Mental Health DayHeld annually on 10 October, the report aims to support the transformation of mental health services for children and young people.
It highlights the importance of early action as an essential component to helping children and young people reach their full potential.
Inaccessibility of mental health services
In spite of need actionAccess to services remains largely inaccessible.
Most young people experiencing mental health symptoms are unable to access care due to systemic barriers such as low service availability and unaffordable costs. and stigma prevents them from seeking help.
Furthermore, while public funding and human resources for services in general are low worldwide, services for children and adolescents are particularly unavailable, especially in low-income countries. low and medium income.
“We must take action to ensure that evidence-based and age-appropriate interventions are available and affordable for all.,” Dévora Kestel, Director of Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use at the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Every country, regardless of circumstances, can do something to significantly improve children’s mental health.young people and their families,” she added.
Community-based model
The report stipulates that supporting the mental health of children and young people must be a collective effort. While there is no single best model, it provides examples from around the world that show what can be achieved in different contexts.
“The mental health and well-being of children, young people and their families cannot be addressed in isolation. Fouzia Shafique, Deputy Director of Health at UNICEF.
The report also draws attention to the millions of children with mental illnesses worldwide who are hospitalized, despite having families, saying this practice violates their human rights and leads to consequences. poor health and social outcomes.
Phase out facility-based care
It calls for phasing out institutional care services in favor of community-based services that allow children to thrive in their families and communities, ensuring continuity in education, relationships children’s social and overall development.
“It is our collective responsibility to prioritize their mental health as part of the overall health of children and adolescents,” said Ms. Shafique.
