This policy brief explores the current state of knowledge on the mental health of children and their caregivers. It looks at three factors – the determinants of mental health, factors shaping the demand and need for mental health care, and factors shaping the strength of mental health systems – and makes recommendations about the need for new perspectives, investments and monitoring.
While evidence shows the importance of investing in child and caregiver mental health, policies and practice are lagging behind and available data to guide decision making remains scarce.
The brief marks the launch of Countdown 2030, a new dashboard developed to fill knowledge gaps in global mental health.
Developed in collaboration with United for Global Mental Health, this policy brief uses the framework of Countdown 2030.