Posted on 11 October 2024
Around one in seven children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 are affected by mental health conditions, according to a new report by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. The most common conditions include anxiety, depression, and behavioural disorders. The report, released ahead of World Mental Health Day, also highlights that one-third of mental health issues emerge before the age of 14, and half before 18.
Despite the urgent need for intervention, many children face barriers such as stigma, unaffordable costs, and lack of service availability, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The report calls for community-based models of care and the phasing out of institutionalised care to ensure children can grow up in supportive environments.
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