Improving the mental and brain health of children and adolescents
Childhood and adolescence are critical stages of life for mental health. This is a time when rapid growth and development take place in the brain. Children and adolescents acquire cognitive and social-emotional skills that shape their future mental health and are important for assuming adult roles in society.
The quality of the environment where children and adolescents grow up shapes their well-being and development. Early negative experiences in homes, schools, or digital spaces, such as exposure to violence, the mental illness of a parent or other caregiver, bullying and poverty, increase the risk of mental illness.
Mental health conditions, such as childhood epilepsy, developmental disabilities, depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders, are major causes of illness and disability among young people. Worldwide, 8% of children and 15% of adolescents experience a mental disorder, but the majority of them do not seek help or receive care. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15-29 year-olds. The consequences of not addressing mental health and psychosocial development for children and adolescents extend to adulthood and limit opportunities for leading fulfilling lives.
WHO supports Member States in the development and implementation of multisectoral, evidence-informed and human-rights-based strategies for the promotion of mental health, prevention of mental health conditions and provision of mental health care for children, adolescents and their families.