The State of the World's Children 2021 Focus Groups

UNICEF proposes multi-country focus groups to gather insights on young people’s mental health and well-being.

This reflects our and Wellcome Trust’s mutual commitment to engaging youth as partners in the design and implementation of action research that affects them.

The proposed research will be featured in UNICEF’s flagship State of the World’s Children report, ensuring that the knowledge, expertise, and lived experiences of young people are part of the global dialogue on research, policy, and programming priorities.

Key research questions include: - How do adolescents perceive and understand mental health, both positive and negative? - What are the key emotional and behavioral challenges facing adolescents in communities around the world, and what do they identify as risk and protective factors? - What are the positive and harmful ways adolescent are coping with mental health problems? - What are the barriers and reinforcing factors to their help-seeking behavior? - What are adolescent ideas and solutions around structural, community, peer, and self-care approaches to mental health promotion, prevention, and support?

This research will create opportunities both for promoting positive youth development as well as increase youth voice in the scientific study and body of evidence around mental health of young people.