Z Zurich Foundation and UNICEF Expand Global Alliance for Adolescent Mental Health and Well-being
Z Zurich Foundation and UNICEF Team Up to support Youth Mental Health Globally
New York, NY – December 2024 – The Z Zurich Foundation and UNICEF announced today the renewal of their global partnership, “Thriving Together,” to intensify efforts in promoting the mental health and well-being of young people. Over the next three years, the initiative aims to reach an additional 11 million individuals.
This renewed commitment builds on the success of the initial three-year phase,which empowered over 900,000 adolescents and caregivers to better address their mental health needs.
“For too long, the mental health of children and young people has been neglected and underfunded,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director. “We know that investing in mental health yields enormous benefits for children, adolescents, families, and society as a whole. We are grateful for the continued partnership with the Z Zurich Foundation to support healthier futures through improved mental health and well-being for all.”
The “Thriving Together” alliance takes a multi-faceted approach, working at the governmental, community, and individual levels to strengthen countries’ capacity to address youth mental health.
A Global Crisis Demands Action
One in seven adolescents aged 10 to 19 lives with a diagnosable mental illness, and 50% of mental health disorders begin before the age of 14. Adolescence, while a period of increased risk for mental health challenges, is also a critical time for developing healthy behaviors and social-emotional skills.
“Together with UNICEF, we are tackling the invisible crisis of youth mental well-being by transforming systems and creating enduring change,” said Grégory Renand, Director of the Z Zurich Foundation. “The resounding success of the first phase demonstrated the profound impact of our strategic partnership, enabling key stakeholders to adapt solutions to support the mental health and well-being of young people. With the launch of the second phase, we are poised to accelerate this impact on an unprecedented scale, ensuring sustainable mental well-being for even more young people worldwide. We see this evolution of our strategic partnership with UNICEF as substantially elevating the support we provide in the youth mental well-being space.”
expanding Reach, Amplifying Impact
To meet the growing global demand, the alliance is expanding its reach from seven to 15 countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, and Vietnam.
The initiative will leverage digital platforms, schools, and community settings to reach young people universally, including vulnerable groups such as migrant and refugee communities.
The “Thriving together” alliance is also a key member of the Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health, led by UNICEF. This coalition brings together UNICEF’s private sector partners committed to addressing the growing global burden of youth mental health through advocacy for increased investment and action.
About the Z Zurich foundation
The Z Zurich Foundation is a global charitable foundation dedicated to building a brighter future for individuals and communities.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
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