Adopted by the European Commission on 17 September 2026, the proposal sets a harmonised EU framework for children's online safety built on four pillars: delayed access to social media, safety by design, age assurance and parental responsibility, and strong enforcement. It would prohibit social media accounts under 13, allow parent-supervised accounts at 13–14 and independent accounts from 15, and require services such as social media, video platforms, online games, AI chatbots and app stores to avoid design features that drive excessive use. It is still a proposal and must be negotiated by the European Parliament and the Council.

Conducted for the European Commission (DG SANTE) in spring 2026, the survey gathered responses from over 26,000 adolescents aged 13–18 and more than 12,700 parents across all 27 Member States. It provides comparable data on the prevalence, intensity and contexts of screen and social media use, and shows a consistent association between screen time and reported symptoms such as sleep problems, fatigue, concentration difficulties, stress and anxiety, with earlier social media use linked to heavier screen time. The findings describe statistical associations based on self-reported data rather than causal effects.

Founded in Finland in 1996, Icehearts forms teams of around 20 children identified early (around age 6) by pre-school, school and social services as needing special support. A full-time mentor stays with the same team for 12 years, until around age 18, using team sport as the entry point while supporting children at school, during leisure time, individually and through their families, in collaboration with other services. It is rooted in a salutogenic, rights-based approach, and is being piloted in other European countries through the Icehearts Europe project.

A practical guide based on Austria’s experience implementing its national suicide prevention programme, designed to help other countries develop similar strategies. It outlines a structured approach aligned with WHO guidance, covering how to set priorities, coordinate stakeholders, and translate strategy into actionable steps. The handbook also highlights key lessons on governance, implementation, and evaluation, providing adaptable tools and examples to support effective, evidence-based suicide prevention efforts

 A practical implementation guide that sets out a simple, evidence-based framework to help countries initiate or strengthen suicide prevention efforts. It focuses on four key interventions—such as limiting access to means, promoting responsible media reporting, building life skills in young people, and improving early identification and care—supported by cross-cutting pillars like governance, collaboration, and monitoring. Designed for both national and local stakeholders, the guide provides a structured starting point for developing coordinated, multi-sector suicide prevention strategies that can be adapted to different contexts.

Outlines strategic and operational levers that countries can use to implement PHC effectively. The framework includes a measurement system to track progress and performance in PHC, ensuring that health systems can adapt and respond to changing needs and challenges.

Outlines key principles and standards for designing and delivering effective mental health services for children and young people. It focuses on service organisation, accessibility, quality of care, and integration across sectors, helping countries strengthen systems to better meet the needs of young populations.

Evidence-based recommendations on interventions that promote mental well-being and prevent mental health conditions among adolescents. Drawing on systematic reviews, the resource outlines effective approaches across settings—such as schools, families, and communities—supporting countries in implementing interventions that are both impactful and appropriate to adolescents’ developmental needs.

An international initiative launched in 2018 to improve the consistency and quality of data on adolescent health and well-being worldwide, addressing longstanding gaps in how the needs of young people aged 10–19 are understood and monitored. Developed in collaboration with key UN partners, it establishes a standardized framework of indicators across multiple domains, including health outcomes, behaviours, and social determinants. Its relevance to child and adolescent mental health lies in its holistic approach, which embeds mental health within broader measures of well-being rather than treating it in isolation. By incorporating indicators related to emotional well-being, risk exposure, and environmental influences, GAMA enables more reliable tracking of mental health needs and highlights the complex factors shaping outcomes during adolescence—a critical developmental period when many mental health conditions first emerge. This integrated, data-driven approach supports more effective policy, prevention, and service planning, ultimately strengthening global efforts to promote mental health and well-being among children and adolescents

Compiles global data on mental health systems, including policies, services, workforce, and financing. It enables countries to track progress, identify gaps in care, and benchmark against international targets, supporting efforts to strengthen mental health systems and improve access to services. Country level data is presented in the country profiles available on the website.