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Background
Investing in the mental health, psychosocial wellbeing, and development of children and adolescents is a cornerstone of sustainable development. It is an ethical obligation and a strategic imperative—ensuring young people can learn, thrive, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to their communities. Yet, despite overwhelming evidence of its importance, youth mental health remains one of the most neglected global health challenges.
Despite its importance, mental health remains a neglected and underfunded. The average global government expenditure on mental health is just 2% of overall health budgets, only a fraction of which is allocated to children and young people. In low- and middle-income countries, the scarcity of care is catastrophic, with fewer than one mental health professional for every million young people.
The cost of inaction is immense, and the potential returns are transformative. Evidence shows that implementing mental health interventions for adolescents yields a 23-fold return on investment,2 meaning every dollar spent generates substantial long-term benefits in health, education, and economic productivity.
In 2022, UNICEF and WHO launched a catalytic Joint Programme on Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-being and Development of Children and Adolescents. This strategic partnership accelerates country-level action to deliver systemic change at scale—promoting nurturing environments and improved access to quality mental health promotion, protection and care for young people, as fundamental human right.