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Strengthening mental health and psychosocial support systems and services for children and adolescents in East Asia and the Pacific

Past project

Mental health is one of the most neglected health issues globally. Before COVID-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 10–20 per cent of children and adolescents worldwide experienced poor mental health, with half of mental health conditions beginning by age 14.

Objective

In East Asia and the Pacific, almost 1 in 7 boys and 1 in 9 girls aged 10-19 years have a mental disorder, with suicide the third leading cause of death of 15- to 19-year-olds in this region.

Despite this, there remains high unmet need for mental health and psychosocial support and services (MHPSS). This is particularly so for children and adolescents living in the East Asia and Pacific region because of the stigma around mental health, and substantial barriers to accessing quality services and support.

To better address mental health and psychosocial wellbeing for children and adolescents there is a need to mobilise all sectors-including health, education, social welfare / child protection, and the justice sector to ensure access to services and supports that respond to mental health needs, address risk and protective factors, and ensure a safe and enabling environment that promotes wellbeing.

Mental health is one of the most neglected health issues globally. Before COVID-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 10–20 per cent of children and adolescents worldwide experienced poor mental health, with half of mental health conditions beginning by age 14.

Timeline

2020–2022.

Approach

This project was conducted in Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Thailand.

The aim of this multi-country study was to identify how MHPSS can be implemented for children and adolescents in the East Asia and Pacific region.

Specifically, the project aimed to:

  • identify a priority package of MHPSS actions that relate to: responsive mental health services; prevention; and mental health promotion
  • define the roles of key sectors in implementing MHPSS (health, education, social welfare, justice)
  • explore how priority actions can be implemented, including what is needed to strengthen a multi-sectoral mental health system.

Community impact

Publication via UNICEF: Strengthening Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Systems and Services for children and adolescents in the East Asia and Pacific region.

Partners

Funding partners

UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office

Collaborators

  • UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office
  • Institute for Clinical Research, National Institute of Health, Malaysia, Research Ins1tute for Mindanao Culture, Xavier University, Philippines,
  • Research Institute for Mindanao Culture, Xavier University, Philippines,
  • Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Thailand

Project contacts

Dr Elissa Kennedy

Dr Elissa Kennedy

Co-Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head Global Adolescent Health
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Project team

Associate Professor Peter Azzopardi

Associate Professor Peter Azzopardi

Honorary Fellow
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Dr Julie Hennegan

Dr Julie Hennegan

Senior Research Fellow; Co-Head, Global Adolescent Health Working Group
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Dr Elissa Kennedy

Dr Elissa Kennedy

Co-Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head Global Adolescent Health
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Nisa Wulan

Nisa Wulan

Health Modeller
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