NLO collaborates with the WHO Regional Office for Europe to host the Youth Dialogues on Mental Health and Social Inclusion

Join us to discuss a healthier mental health future that leaves no young person behind!

📌 Date: On 9 December, from 10h00- 12h00 CET via Zoom
📌 Register here 
According to the World Health Orgainsation, in 2019, the number of people with mental health conditions, including developmental and behavioural disorders in children and adolescents, stood at over 125 million, equivalent to 13% of the population; an estimated 119 000 lives were lost due to suicide- an unacceptably high figure that includes an increasing number of young people. Globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experiences a mental health disorder; depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among young people. It is evident- we are facing the youth mental health crisis and are in urgent need for a real change!

Since the creation, NLO proudly represents marginalised communities and advocates for fighting against stigma and discrimination associated with mental health conditions and social exclusion. We are delighted for the opportunity to collaborate with WHO and host the Youth Dialogues on Mental Health and Social Inclusion with an aim to:

  • Bring together different youth representatives to discuss the mental health situation of young people in the European region, with a focus on who is most at risk of being left behind;
  • Understand the reality of young people experiencing poor mental health and social exclusion and to share their lived experience, during the COVID-19 pandemic, before and after;
  • Share best practices, develop solutions and concrete suggestions that tackle the issues at hand and could make a real impact on the lives of young people.

We invite participants aged 18-29 from the WHO European region, who are representatives of patients or youth organisations, representatives of marginalised communities who are or were patients themselves, young healthcare professionals, social workers, students of relevant fields and other interested people.

The Dialogues will start with a short presentation on the solution space paper. The paper will be shared with the breakout group participants before the meeting for their preparation.
The breakout groups will then discuss two key questions across the solution spaces:

  • What kinds of interventions and support do young people want and need to improve mental health and social inclusion?
  • How are young people staying resilient amid increasing risks and challenges to protecting and promoting their mental health and wellbeing?

A summary outcome paper will be developed to share the identified solutions with the participants, the WHO Europe, Euro Youth Mental Health and other relevant stakeholders. The paper will be hosted on the Nobody Left Outside website