Her poems speak straight to the heart and have touched people all over the world.This workshop will help children explore how writing can be a powerful tool to express their feelings and emotions. It can help children celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week and reflect on the places they belong, and how they can help create a sense of belonging for others too. The theme for 2026 is ‘This is My Place’ and the aim of the week is to encourage a sense of belonging – in friendships, in school, and in our communities. By integrating mental health education, building inclusive support networks, and empowering young individuals with knowledge, we can collectively work towards a more equitable and supportive environment for the next generation.
Co-Medical Directors, Drs Megan Moreno and Jenny Radesky discuss what we currently know about social media and youth mental health and the need to shift the popular narrative about media use that dominates the media. Discover key insights from a national needs assessment on youth, social media, and mental health. These factors include social media, socio-economic changes, school pressures, family dynamics, and the constant exposure to news cycles. Asha Patton-Smith, MD, explains how she works with children, teens, and families to help them reach their unique goals. You don’t need a referral to get mental health and addiction medicine services.4 You or your child can talk about mental health concerns with anyone on your care team, at any time. Furthermore, WHO is developing and testing scalable psychological interventions to address emotional disorders of adolescents, and guidance on mental health services for adolescents.
Adolescence is an important time for brain development.
- A peer support phone service run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers.
- It can also be difficult to initiate a conversation about mental health concerns, or even know who to talk to.
- Peer-led mental health initiatives are also gaining traction on college campuses and in communities.
Resources in this article are for informational purposes only; individuals should consult with a clinician before making any decisions related to mental health or wellness. Symptoms of mental health concerns typically develop between ages 12 and 24, but most mental illnesses aren’t diagnosed until later in life (PDF, 135 KB). Depression, anxiety and other psychological disorders can lead to rising youth suicide rates and other severe comorbidities that affect entire communities, especially during a global pandemic.
Acute Mental Health Treatment for Teens
Some adolescents are at greater risk of mental health conditions due to their living conditions, stigma, discrimination or exclusion, or lack of access to quality support and services. Protective and supportive environments in the family, at school and in the wider community are important. Physical, emotional and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. Ontario’s Tele-Mental Health Service provides children and youth in rural, remote, and underserved communities with access to specialized mental health consultation through https://alaskapublic.org/news/2022-01-25/at-this-mental-health-drop-in-center-in-fairbanks-members-say-you-can-just-be-you secure videoconferencing. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of children and youth mental health issues
The official theme for Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 is ‘This is My Place’
This Guide provides evidence-based clinical protocols for the assessment and management of a range of mental health conditions in non-specialized care settings. For example, the Helping Adolescents Thrive (HAT) Initiative is a joint WHO-UNICEF effort to strengthen policies and programmes for the mental health of adolescents. It is crucial to address the needs of adolescents with mental health conditions.