GENEVA- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has warned that mental health challenges are undermining young people’s human rights, calling for governments to make youth-friendly support more accessible.
The warning was highlighted by the UN Human Rights Office ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10.
The Office’s report to the Human Rights Council examined how mental health challenges affect young people’s ability to enjoy rights including health, education, decent work and social security.
The study identified barriers to care including chronic underinvestment, shortages of expertise and limited youth-friendly, community-based services.
It called for governments to involve young people in designing mental health policies and services, increase sustainable funding and strengthen accountability.
The report also urges states to address social and economic factors that affect young people’s mental health, alongside gaps in care.
It recommends services that respect people’s dignity, autonomy and informed consent, and action against coercive practices and laws criminalising suicide or suicide attempts.
The UN warning comes as the World Health Organization marks this year’s World Mental Health Day under the theme “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.”
WHO is urging governments and health systems to involve people with lived experience in shaping policies, services and decisions that affect them.
The OHCHR report was presented during the Human Rights Council’s 63rd session.
The Office’s statement frames young people’s mental health as a rights issue extending beyond healthcare, with consequences for their ability to learn, work and participate in society.
