WHO report: 1 in 7 children and adolescents in Europe lives with a mental health problem

2025-11-11 16:22:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, through its Office for Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Athens and the Mental Health and Well-being (MHW) team, has published a new report entitled “Child and Adolescent Mental Health in the WHO European Region. Status and actions to strengthen quality of care”.

The report brings together, for the first time, comprehensive data on the state of mental health of children and young people across the Region. It also reveals significant and growing mental health needs among young people.

Growing mental health challenges

According to the report, one in seven children and adolescents in the WHO European Region live with a mental health problem. Girls aged 15-19 are disproportionately affected, with one in four of them living with a mental health problem. Suicide remains the leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29.

The prevalence of mental health problems among children and adolescents aged 0-19 has increased over the last 15 years.

Throughout the region:

· 1 in 4 countries do not have community-based mental health services for children, adolescents and young people.

· 1 in 5 countries does not have a dedicated policy that addresses their mental health needs.

· The quality of care of mental health services varies greatly between countries.

· There is only one psychiatrist for every 76,000 children and adolescents.

Calls to strengthen care

The report calls for urgent and coordinated action to close these gaps and ensure that all children and young people have access to high-quality, person-centred mental health care. The report sets out nine priority actions for governments and partners:

1. Develop and coordinate action plans and national legislation.

2. Inclusion of incentives and funding for quality improvement.

3. Establish quality standards, protocols, and clinical guidelines.

4. Incorporating continuous quality improvement into all systems.

5. Redesign service models around the needs of children, young people and carers.

6. Engage and empower children, youth, families and communities.

7. Invest in a workforce that meets the needs of the population.

8. Measure outcomes that matter to children and families.

9. Do research and share lessons on what works.

The publication of the report is part of broader WHO/Europe efforts to support countries in transforming mental health care delivery and ensuring equitable and high-quality services for all. /CNA