SafeYouth_PolicyPaper_V1(NA)_31_8_FV_FINAL

www.safeyouth.eu The current situation: Youth’s Mental Health Young people's mental health is perhaps the biggest challenge at both state and societal levels that the relevant stakeholders are called upon to manage, especially after the Covid- 19 pandemic. Recommendations:  Enrichment of the General Healthcare System (GHS) with services and programmes related to mental health prevention and not just treatment of mental illness;  Establishment of Social Welfare and Prevention programs aimed at reducing delinquent/criminal behavior, forms of violence, addictions and suicidal behavior of youth in society;  Promotion of systematic and daily extracurricular clubs and activities in the fields of sport, music and art;  Development and implementation of systematic and ongoing educational programmes for parents on how to manage and empower mental health at home;  Provision of systematic and ongoing professional training programmes for teachers at all levels of education on mental health promotion and management in schools;  Restructure of the way schools operate and promotion of a healthier place of education and learning by o introducing more interactive activities for the delivery of the lesson, involving movement, dialogue and interaction in the classroom; Around 1 billion people worldwide suffer from a mental health condition that makes their daily lives challenging. (WHO, 2022 *5 ) We now know that 75% of all mental illnesses occur between 15 and 24, when young people are called upon to become independent and active in society. (Children’s Society, 2008 *6 ) More importantly, however, is the fact that 80% of mental illnesses worldwide is left untreated and could have been prevented with an early and accurate intervention and the support of the society and the state through effective mental health services and policies. (WHO, 2008 *7 )