Programme

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

Emotional, psychological, and social well-being for every child

Two girls on a bicycle infront of their house

UNICEF/2017/Thuentap

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Challenge
Solution
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Challenges

The mental health of children and adolescents is one of the world’s most neglected health issues. It is estimated that 1 in 7 boys and 1 in 9 girls aged 10–19 years in East Asia and the Pacific have a mental health condition, with suicide being the third leading cause of death among them. Most mental health conditions arise early in life, with 50 per cent arising before the age of 14. Additionally, millions of children and young people experience psychological distress, which can be caused when they are exposed to poverty, violence, disease or humanitarian crises. This can cause significant impairments to the functioning of young brains and hinder healthy development, putting young people at risk of more severe conditions in the long term.

Two girls sitting on the grass. They are displaced due to a a tsunami triggered by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia — UNICEF/2018/Veska

Mental health issues experienced in childhood can also have long-term impacts on health and educational outcomes, and earning capacity, with costs to society estimated at $390 billion per year globally. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened existing uncertainties and distress among children and adolescents.

It is estimated that 1 in 7 boys and 1 in 9 girls aged 10–19 years in East Asia and the Pacific have a mental health condition, with suicide being the third leading cause of death among them.

A health worker providing counselling to a child victim of sexual abuse — UNICEF/2018/Bell

Solution

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is a key priority for UNICEF, and together with partners, UNICEF develops programmes that improve the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children, adolescents and their caregivers globally. UNICEF is actively engaged in prevention, promotion and response to address poor mental health by evaluating risks and enhancing protective factors, such as promoting well-being, and ensuring quality and accessible care for children and their families.

A girl smiles and looks at a volunteer teacher in a class activity in a Child Friendly Space in Ban Bok camp, Attapeu, Lao PDR — UNICEF/2018/Nazer

In 2022, the report Strengthening Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Systems and Services for Children and Adolescents in the East Asia and Pacific Region was developed by UNICEF, which outlines a regional multisectoral MHPSS framework. It highlights key activities that countries can adopt and guidance on how best to implement them to bolster mental health services for children and young people in a holistic, community-based way. It also describes the different roles that various sectors, such as social protection, education, health and justice must play to ensure the emotional, psychological and social well-being of every child, their caregivers and their communities.

The regional MHPSS framework describes the different roles that various sectors, such as social protection, education, health and justice must play to ensure the emotional, psychological and social well-being of every child, their caregivers and their communities.