Working together for the mental health and well-being of young people
In October 2024, coinciding with World Mental Health Day, UNICEF and the Z Zurich Foundation renewed their global partnership “Thriving Together” for another three years, scaling up efforts to promote young people’s mental health and well-being. The aim is to support at least 11 million people by 2027.
An estimated one in seven adolescents aged between 10 and 19 lives with a diagnosable mental health condition. 50 percent of mental health conditions develop before the age of 14. While adolescence can be a period of heightened risk for developing mental health conditions, it is also a critical time of life for developing healthy behaviors and social and emotional skills. Yet, most countries allocate relatively small budgets to support health systems and, within those budgets, on average just two percent is directed towards mental health support.
“Thriving Together” takes a systems-change approach to address this gap head-on. By empowering governments, communities and individuals, the partnership helps promote adolescents’ mental health and well-being and prevent mental health disorders. Building on a successful three-year pilot phase, the partnership’s impact now extends to 15 program countries.
At the heart of “Thriving Together” are innovative program tools collaboratively developed and field-tested, offering in-person as well as digital interventions. The tools provide adolescents and caregivers with useful information, skills and strategies on topics such as emotional regulation and stress management.
Since its inception in September 2021, “Thriving Together” has positively impacted the lives of more than 2,000,000 adolescents and caregivers worldwide. Such as in Mexico, where self-harm ranks as one of the top causes of mortality among young people. Here, “Contacto Joven,” an initiative supported by the partnership, promotes mental health support through a network of rained youth volunteers. Services are provided via a chatbot, making them readily accessible to young people across Mexico, including vulnerable groups.
At the global level, UNICEF keeps advocating for increased investment and action, for instance through the UNICEF-led Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health. Launched with the support of the Z Zurich Foundation, the Coalition is an alliance of UNICEF private sector partners committed to addressing the increasing global burden of mental health in children and young people by calling for investment and action.
