This toolkit’s aim is to enhance the youth workers’ role in promoting mental health in the youth.
The content of the Toolkit was derived mainly from the needs assessment, which resulted mainly from the contributions of the participants of the Focus Groups that took place in Cyprus, Italy, and Finland respectively. The opinions and suggestions of the participants were taken in advisement when formulating the content, in order to develop a toolkit that meets the needs of individuals working with young people. As it was mentioned during the focus groups discussions, youth workers have a general idea on issues related to mental health but need further information, in order to enhance the quality of their work, while becoming more equipped with knowledge on forming and using effective coping strategies in helping young people deal with their problems.
According to WHO[1], mental health conditions account for a considerable proportion of the global disease burden during adolescence and are the leading cause of disability in young people. Adding to that, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for ages 15 to 29[2].
Despite these high prevalence rates and the negative impacts of poor mental health on education, health, and employment outcomes, youth mental health seems to be neglected in the global public health space and development investments[3].
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the well-being of young people and has put them at an increased risk for mental health problems. Young people themselves report that their greatest concern is the toll that the pandemic is taking on their mental health[4].
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[1] WHO, Guidelines on mental health promotive and preventative interventions for adolescents: helping adolescents thrive: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/336864/9789240011854-eng.pdf
[2] WHO, Suicide worldwide in 2019: global health estimates, Geneva: WHO, 2021
[3] “MHPSS Worldwide: facts and figures,”
[4] Mastrotheodoros S. (2021), The effects of COVID-19 on young people’s mental health and psychological well-being. Available at:
Psychological-Well-Being.pdf/b2bc0c32-9fd5-0816-bce5-da9289cfca8c
