Europe is grappling with a youth mental health crisis, and a recent report calls for a unified approach to address the issue, emphasizing the importance of placing youth mental wellbeing at the forefront of European policy. The report, A Vision for Youth Mental Wellbeing in Europe, urges EU and national leaders to work together and create a coordinated strategy that prioritizes mental health among the young.
The Need for a Shared Vision
While there are significant efforts underway, the report highlights the absence of a shared vision for youth mental wellbeing. The European Commission’s Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health offers useful tools for prevention, early intervention, and cross-sector integration. However, the report argues that without clear targets and harmonized indicators, efforts risk remaining fragmented.
It calls for the establishment of a Europe-wide vision for youth mental health, with a positive, forward-looking framework that can help guide policy decisions. Models like the UN’s Human Development Index or the Eurobarometer survey could serve as a foundation, but these need to be adapted to include youth-specific indicators.
The Role of the EU and National Governments
The EU is encouraged to strengthen its role as a center of excellence by expanding the use of tools like the EU Repository on Mental Health Best Practices and promoting evidence-based policymaking. Furthermore, national and local governments are urged to apply a “mental wellbeing in all policies” approach, ensuring that mental health is embedded across sectors such as education, housing, employment, and social protection.
As Pedro Dantas da Cunha, Secretary of State for Administration and Innovation in Education, Portugal, notes, this approach isn’t about adding a new layer to existing policies but rather reorganizing current efforts to incorporate mental wellbeing in an evidence-based way.
The Impact of Social Media
The report also emphasizes the negative impact of social media on youth mental health, which requires stronger regulatory action. This could include age restrictions, tighter controls on addictive features, algorithm transparency, and increased access to data for researchers. At the same time, the EU should invest in digital literacy education to help young people navigate online environments effectively.
Shared Learning and Capacity Building
The importance of high-quality evidence and shared learning is stressed throughout the report. Platforms like the Adolescent Mental Health Hub, developed by UNICEF with support from the Z Zurich Foundation, play a key role in enabling knowledge sharing across different contexts. The report encourages funders to support not just program delivery, but also capacity building and shared learning, which are vital to scaling effective mental wellbeing initiatives.
The Role of the Private Sector
The private sector is seen as a critical player in addressing the mental health crisis by providing funding and supporting innovation. The report cites examples like Ireland’s HeadStart Fund, which shows how private support can empower local action. Employers are also urged to promote workplace wellbeing, offering support to young employees and caregivers.
Education as a Foundation for Resilience
The report stresses the importance of education systems in early intervention. Teaching students how to manage stress, build resilience, and regulate emotions improves both academic and life outcomes. It recommends embedding these principles in teacher training, curriculum design, and student support structures. Higher education institutions can also play a crucial role by integrating wellbeing into courses like pedagogy, public health, and sports studies.
The Critical Role of Caregivers
Caregivers are vital in supporting the mental wellbeing of young people. Programs like Connecting Generations, developed by UNICEF and the Z Zurich Foundation, help caregivers foster better communication with adolescents and promote healthy coping skills. The report emphasizes that caregivers often feel isolated, so ensuring they feel supported is key to the success of any mental wellbeing initiative.
Empowering Young People in Policy Development
Finally, the report emphasizes that young people should be at the center of shaping policies that affect their mental wellbeing. Often excluded from decision-making, young people are uniquely positioned to lead change, reduce stigma, and shift narratives in a way that promotes mental health.
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