The report highlights that youth mental health is both a fundamental human right and a critical foundation for sustainable development. Young people today are growing up in a world shaped by economic insecurity, climate change, social inequality, conflict, displacement, and rapid technological change. These pressures are contributing to rising levels of anxiety, depression, distress, and suicide among young people worldwide. One in seven adolescents is estimated to be living with a mental health condition, with the greatest burden often falling on those facing poverty, exclusion, discrimination, violence, and limited access to services.
A central message of the report is that mental health cannot be addressed through clinical services alone. The environments in which young people live, learn, work, and participate shape youth well-being. The report proposes an ecosystem approach to mental health that brings together education, governance, peacebuilding, decent work, housing, climate action, digital technology, spirituality, arts, sports, and community support.
For civil society organizations, the report reinforces the importance of community-based and youth-led approaches that promote participation, inclusion, resilience, and social connection. It emphasizes that young people are not simply beneficiaries of programmes but key partners in designing solutions. Investing in supportive environments and meaningful youth engagement can strengthen mental health outcomes while advancing child rights, education, protection, gender equality, peacebuilding, and sustainable development goals.
What it means for FORUT and its partners
The report strongly aligns with FORUT’s programmes. Its ecosystem approach reinforces FORUT’s emphasis on community-based prevention, youth participation, social inclusion, and addressing underlying determinants of well-being. FORUT partners could strengthen mental health outcomes by integrating psychosocial well-being across existing work on child protection, alcohol and substance use prevention, education, livelihoods, gender-based violence, and community development. The report also highlights opportunities to leverage sports, arts, peer support, and youth-led initiatives as low-cost, culturally relevant entry points. The report provides a useful framework for demonstrating how investments in youth well-being contribute simultaneously to child rights, protection, resilience, peacebuilding, and sustainable development outcomes.
Recommended citation:
United Nations Youth Office, & United Nations University International Institute for Global Health. (2026). Youth mental health & well-being in an uncertain world: A global call to action. United Nations Youth Office.