As we mark World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2024, we’re reminded of young people’s crucial role in advancing youth mental health and shaping solutions globally. The focus on meaningful youth participation and investing in future generations has been a central theme across our recent engagements. We’re excited to build on this momentum through our new video, our latest report on youth mental and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and a special recap of our time at the 79th UN General Assembly.
Watch Our New Video!
3 out of 4 (75%) people with mental health conditions develop them before they turn 24. That’s why the Being Initiative works to address this challenge early on – equipping young people with the skills and support they need to feel well and thrive. We work to build an ecosystem of support for and with young people by investing in research, innovation and youth-led solutions.
Want to learn more about our innovative approach? Watch our new video and join us in creating a world where youth mental health comes first.
Youth Mental Health and the SDGs
Only 17% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets are on track, and with just six years remaining to meet the 2030 deadline, we must accelerate our efforts.
At the heart of these efforts lies an often-overlooked dimension: youth mental health. In collaboration with United for Global Mental Health, we launched our new report, highlighting the vital role of youth mental health in advancing the SDGs—from reducing inequalities to promoting decent work, sustainable cities, and climate action.
Drawing on insights from consultations across 13 countries, the report outlines how investing in youth mental health can help build a more sustainable and equitable future for all.o Action Block
2024 UN General Assembly
Reflecting on the Being team’s experience at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) in New York City from September 19-30, 2024, it’s evident that youth mental health is a critical conversation that cannot be ignored. The focus on meaningful youth participation and investing in equipping future generations were exciting themes from the week!
Three Major Takeaways
Throughout the week, several important calls to action emerged, emphasizing the urgent need for youth participation, engagement, and prioritization. Here are our three major takeaways:
1. Now is the time to prioritize youth leadership. “We don’t want to be told that we are too young to engage in decisions that affect us,” Malavika R., Founder of the Informed Inquirer, at the Youth Power Summit.
Youth engagement was a key theme throughout the week and featured in the Declaration on Future Generations, emphasizing more meaningful opportunities for youth to shape global decisions. It’s essential to recognize the diversity of youth and ensure underrepresented voices are heard. To amplify their impact, we must integrate youth perspectives into all efforts, starting by incorporating their voices in existing initiatives.
2. Locally led solutions hold the greatest potential for impact. “If we’re making a solution that hasn’t been informed by or created by people who have experienced the problem, it’s a really bad solution,” Oscar Lopez III, 13th Youth Observer to the UN, UNA-USA.
3. Collaboration is the best way to maximize our investments. Mental health is gaining attention but remains underfunded. Many initiatives are targeting various leverage points within the global development system, but to maximize impact, we must coordinate efforts, break down silos, and collaborate across sectors. We heard Ministers from multiple countries call for an end to fragmented approaches.
A Look at Being’s UNGA 2024 Highlights
Our engagements at UNGA showcased the dedication and energy of youth leaders, partners, and stakeholders who are unwavering in their commitment to advancing youth mental health around the world.
Youth Power Summit
On Sunday, September 22nd, Oriana Ortiz Parrao, Being Youth Advisor, spoke at the Youth Power Summit hosted by Fondation Botnar and Restless Development. Oriana joined a panel of dedicated youth mental health advocates from the Born This Way Foundation,.
Oriana delivered a compelling message, urging global leaders to prioritize young people in mental health financing, programming, and policy. Hear her powerful remarks below!
Being the Change
Also, on September 22nd, we proudly hosted Being the Change on the sidelines of UNGA 79, bringing together funders, partners, and innovators committed to addressing the pressing challenges of youth mental health.
One of the event’s key moments was a presentation by Trevor Ncube, the Zimbabwe Lead from Grand Challenges Canada-supported innovator SameSame (SiyaFanaFana).
In Zimbabwe, levels of depression, anxiety, and suicide among LGBTQI+ youth are double that of the general population. “FanaFana” is an innovative digital chatbot service designed to provide mental health support to LGBTQI+ youth in Zimbabwe. Trevor shared the challenges of accessing mental health care in Zimbabwe and offered valuable lessons from his work with youth in the community.
What does ‘systems change’ mean for mental health?
On September 25th Melani O’Leary, Associate Director, Global Mental Health at Grand Challenges Canada and Aline Cossy-Gantner, Chief Development Officer at Fondation Botnar, highlighted our approach to ecosystem-level action at an event hosted by the Future Mental Health Collective.
Our approach was designed to have ecosystem-level action in each of our priority countries. We fund youth mental health initiatives and actions that examine the complex environment that influences how organizations we invest in operate.
Underpinning our approach and ecosystem action is power shifting – so that youth and people with lived experience are leading the action and narrative shift that is important to our mobilize work. Learn more about our approach!
The event was a dynamic discussion among funders sharing approaches and lessons learned in shifting systems. Ultimately, there was a clear recognition that there are multiple opportunities for funders to collaborate better to achieve systems change at scale.
