Why Philanthropy Must Back Systemic Approaches to Youth Mental Health

Youth mental health is a growing global crisis, with most mental health conditions beginning before the age of 25. Young people today face increasing stress from poverty, academic and social pressure, bullying (including online), climate anxiety, and uncertainty about the future, while mental health services struggle to keep up with demand. Although governments play a critical role, philanthropic investment can help strengthen the social determinants of youth mental health and support prevention at scale. Despite growing global attention, including commitments through the UN Sustainable Development Goals and recent high-level UN meetings, progress remains too slow, especially for young people, making system-level action an urgent public health priority.