In December 2022, NLO in collaboration with WHO Regional Office for Europe, hosted the Youth Dialogue on Mental Health and Social Inclusion. The event brought together youth representatives covering healthcare professionals, young people with lived experience of mental health conditions and services, representatives of marginalised groups, and other interested parties to discuss mental health and well-being among young people, with a focus on who is most at risk and left behind. As a result of these discussions, we are thrilled to announce the release of ‘Surviving not Thriving’ discussion paper. We thank WHO Regional Office for Europe for their unwavering support and young participants for their valuable contributions during and after the event.

This paper is an essential read for anyone interested in the mental health and wellbeing of young people. It highlights the challenges faced by young people in terms of their mental health, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need for sustained efforts from societal and governmental levels to address the issue. It provides valuable insights into the realities faced by young people experiencing poor mental health and social exclusion and offers practical recommendations for policymakers, service providers, and other stakeholders to address these challenges effectively.

‘Surviving not thriving’ paper is now available here