03

Children, Youth and Emerging Mental Health Challenges

From crisis response toward prevention, early intervention and emotionally healthy environments.

Why this theme matters

Children, adolescents and young adults represent a significant proportion of South Asia’s population. Their mental health will play a major role in determining the social, educational and economic future of the region.

Young people today are growing up in a rapidly changing environment. Academic pressure, social media, cyberbullying, family expectations, unemployment, migration, substance use, relationship difficulties, loneliness, identity concerns, violence and uncertainty about the future are creating new psychological challenges.

At the same time, many mental health conditions first emerge during childhood or adolescence. Early identification and timely support are therefore essential.

Special attention will be given to school mental health programs, student counseling, parenting support, emotional literacy, life skills, suicide prevention, digital wellbeing, bullying prevention and youth-friendly mental health services.

The conference will emphasize the need to move from crisis response toward prevention, early intervention and the development of emotionally healthy environments for children and young people.

Key discussion areas

  • Child and adolescent mental health
  • School mental health and school counseling
  • Academic stress and performance pressure
  • Social media and digital wellbeing
  • Cyberbullying and online harm
  • Substance use among young people
  • Youth suicide and self-harm prevention
  • Parenting and family relationships
  • Emotional intelligence and resilience
  • Life-skills education
  • Youth-friendly counseling services
  • Early identification of psychological problems
  • Mental health support in colleges and universities
  • Youth participation in mental health advocacy

This theme in the program

Sessions at InMHC 2027 connected to this thematic area:

  • Parallel Sessions · Day 2 · 10:15

    Parallel Sessions: Children, Youth & Schools

  • Parallel Sessions · Day 2 · 13:00

    Parallel Sessions: Youth Mental Health & Digital Wellbeing

Choose this theme when you register your interest and we will match you to its sessions.