European Youth Forum is the official partner for the third edition of the European Mental Health Week

MHE is delighted to announce that the European Youth Forum – the leading platform for young people in Europe – is the official partner for this year’s European Mental Health Week. The European Youth Forum represents hundreds of youth organisations and the voices of millions of young people. Their actions and work, centred on what matters most to young people, strive to ensure that young people are engaged in political action across all aspects of life. 

The European Youth Forum is also at the forefront of the ‘2022 European Year of Youth’ ensuring that 2022 has a long-lasting positive impact on young people by pushing for sustainable and positive policy changes.  The EU declared 2022 the European Year of Youth to highlight the importance of European youth to build a better future and to advance with confidence and hope in a post-pandemic perspective. It is an important recognition of the sacrifices that young people have made during the pandemic, making 2022 an important milestone in acknowledging young people’s expectations, rights, and needs. MHE is excited to support the vision of the European Youth Forum aiming for the European Year of Youth to “go beyond promotional activities and bring a positive and long-lasting impact on young people’s lives, today and in the future”. Read more about the European Youth Forum’s priorities and activities for this year here.

The European Youth Forum also carried out research summarised in the report “Beyond Lockdown: the ‘pandemic scar’ on young people”, which highlights the deep social, economic, but also mental health challenges and barriers that young people are facing as a consequence of the pandemic.  In the context of building back better post-pandemic, the report draws attention to the fact that there are not enough national policy responses to support young people’s mental health either currently or moving forward. Immediate action at the European and national levels is crucial to address the mental health needs of young people in Europe.  

This is why this year’s European Mental Health Week will mobilise people behind a set of Policy Asks outlining the way forward to support young people’s wellbeing. Mental health system change requires joint action to ensure adequate prevention of mental health problems, meaningful empowerment, active engagement of young people in decisions about their mental health and targeted mental health support at every stage of life.

Together with the European Youth Forum and the voices of our young people, we invite everyone to speak up for mental health. Let us shape a brighter future for young people.