UNITED NATIONS, Oct 10 (Alliance News): A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reveals that around one in seven children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 are affected by mental health conditions, with anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders being the most prevalent.
The report, released to mark World Mental Health Day on October 10, highlights the urgent need for early action to support the mental well-being of young people.
The report underscores that one-third of mental health issues emerge before the age of 14, and half before the age of 18, making early intervention critical to ensuring that children can reach their full potential.
However, access to mental health services remains a significant challenge globally due to barriers such as limited service availability, high costs, and social stigma.
The report also draws attention to the particularly low availability of mental health services for children and adolescents in low and middle-income countries, where public funding and resources for such services are scarce.
“We must ensure that evidence-based and age-appropriate interventions are accessible and affordable for all,” emphasized Dévora Kestel, Director of Mental Health at WHO.
Fouzia Shafique, Associate Director of Health at UNICEF, added that mental health services must be integrated into health, education, and social protection systems to provide a comprehensive support network for young people.
The report also criticizes the institutionalization of children with mental health issues, calling for community-based care that allows children to grow within their families and maintain social relationships.
