This report includes the findings from a multi-partner, multi-country youth-led global research initiative designed to better understand young people’s perceptions, contexts, experiences, needs and solutions in relation to the urgent issue of mental health, in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic. It also sought to shed light on the barriers and enablers to young people’s participation in research, programming, and wider engagements related to mental health (including efforts focused on conceptualization, care, early prevention, solutions, and other areas raised as important by young people).

Coordinated by UNICEF, and in collaboration with and funded through a grant from Wellcome Trust. the participatory research partnered with two organizations – Children’s Radio Foundation and Free Press Unlimited/Wadada TV News For Kids – and was implemented in 9 countries across 4 regions (Ecuador, Mexico, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Zambia, Ghana, Brazil, Ukraine, Tajikistan).

Authors: Kerida McDonald, Davic Conrad-Pérez & Doreen Bangapi Mwanyama