Investing in children: the key to a better future!

Investing in children: the key to a better future!

The situation of mental health of young people is on the brink worldwide! According to Christoph Jünger, managing director of Unicef Austria, the negative effects of the Covid 19 pandemic are only a foretaste of the deep challenges that existed before the pandemic. Unicef reports that pandemic has caused an alarming increase in psychological stress in children and adolescents who comment on anxiety, anger and uncertain visions of the future. In Austria, alarming 18.2 percent of adolescents between 10 and 19 years are affected by psychological problems, which is around 160,000 young people. Suicide is the second most common cause of death among young people in Germany.

Dr.in Caroline Culen, managing director of the Austrian League for Child and Youth Health, and the renowned entrepreneur Ali Mahlodji confirm the urgency to raise awareness of mental health. "The children and adolescents acted incredibly cooperatively in the pandemic, but their needs have been overlooked too long," explains Dr.in Culen. "We have to actively question how we as a society can promote mental health." Ali Mahlodji appeals to young people: "If you often feel sad or anxious, don't think you are broken. Get support! There are people who want to help." Time is for effective solutions, because the challenges are huge.

investments in the future

Unicef emphasizes that investments in the support of children and adolescents are not only a humanitarian duty, but also an economically clever decision. For every invested dollar in solutions for children, there is a social benefit that is ten times as high. "It's not about alms, it's about a strategic decision for global stability," said Christoph Jünger. One thing is clear: we now need courageous measures to significantly improve the quality of life of the next generation. The demand for more investments in mental health is not only locally, but of importance worldwide to change the living conditions of young people sustainably, as stated in the UNICEF report on the situation of children in the world in 2021. Let's no longer look away - the future of our children depends on it!