The Challenge
Young people around the world face mounting mental health challenges yet often lack adequate support systems. According to the World Health Organization:
1 in 7
An estimated 1 in 7 young people aged 10-19 globally experience mental health conditions, with suicide ranking as the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds.
75%
In low- and middle-income countries, more than 75% of people with mental health conditions receive no treatment at all.
$6 trillion
The economic cost of mental health conditions is projected to reach $6 trillion globally by 2030, with depression and anxiety already among the leading causes of illness and disability in youth today.
Our Vision
Being envisions a world where young people feel well and thrive.
Led by Grand Challenges Canada, Being invests in solutions that address the root causes of distress before they escalate, strengthening the environments where young people live, learn, and grow.
We invest in local youth mental health innovators, helping them test new ideas and grow proven ones to reach more young people. Our investments are youth-led and community-rooted: young people in each country help decide what gets funded through country consultations, not top-down priorities.
From peer support to the arts, sports, games, and AI chatbots, discover our Innovation Lookbook to discover youth-led innovations reimagining mental health solutions across the globe.
Who We Are
Partners
Led by Grand Challenges Canada, Being is a partnership with Fondation Botnar, The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Orygen, the Science for Africa Foundation, and United for Global Mental Health.
Council and Advisors
Along with our partners, the initiative is also informed by a Council and Youth and Lived Experience Advisors.
Join Us!
Did you know? We’re actively looking for new funding partners to help us address the mental health challenges of young people worldwide!
