Help Protect Children's Mental Health
UNICEF USA is advocating in support of integrating mental health services in U.S. foreign assistance programming and to ensure the U.S. invests in the mental well-being of all children. Learn more and how to help support the mental health and psychosocial well-being of vulnerable children around the world.
Good mental health and psychosocial well-being are essential for children, adolescents, caregivers and communities to thrive. Yet, 1 in 7 adolescents from the ages of 10-19 live with a mental health condition.
Kids' mental health in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has especially suffered due to school closures and interruptions of the services they need to survive and thrive. Now, crises and conflicts around the world continue to put children’s well-being at risk.
The mental health crisis is a global problem. All countries, including the U.S., face a gap between mental health needs and access to quality services. Stigma and underfunding have limited investment in mental health services and support — especially in countries where it's needed the most. Less than 1 percent of government health budgets in low-income countries is spent on mental health.
UNICEF knows that anxiety, depression and other stress-related problems threaten children's ability to grow up healthy and happy. Failure to address mental health and psychosocial issues can stall children's development and bar them from participating meaningfully in society.
The Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings Act or the MINDS Act (H.R.1570 / S.767) led by Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) in the House of Representatives and Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) in the Senate, would support the integration of mental health services in U.S. foreign assistance programming, with a particular focus on children, their families and other vulnerable populations.
In the United States, the Youth Mental Health Data Act (S. 3532), sponsored by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) in the Senate, would create a federal task force comprised of representatives from federal agencies, medical societies, nonprofits and the tech sector to develop a national strategy to improve youth mental health data systems. The passage of this legislation – plus ensuring comprehensive funding for mental health services is provided to support children, including through quality school-based services – is the best way to ensure children are healthy and protected in the U.S.
Urge Congress to Support Mental Health Around the Globe. Act now.