The Ministry of Health and UNICEF Launch National Campaign to Support Youth Mental Health in Cyprus

#OnMyMind #MoreToSay Campaign Aims to Reduce Stigma and Encourage Help-Seeking Based on Groundbreaking Report Findings on youth mental health in Cyprus

The Ministry of Health, in partnership with UNICEF and with the support of the European Commission, has launched a national communication campaign to promote mental well-being among young people in Cyprus.

Running from September to November, the campaign, titled #OnMyMind #MoreToSay (and #ΜίλαΑνοιχτά #ΕίναιΟΚoτιΝιώθεις in Greek), aims to address the rising levels of anxiety, depression, and stress faced by youth, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is part of the larger “Supporting Mental Health Resilience among Youth in Cyprus” project, which is fully underway.

The campaign is built on the findings of a groundbreaking national report, “Supporting mental health and care for the wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people” coordinated and run by CARDET with the support of the Youth Board of Cyprus  and the Cyprus Youth Council. This study provides the first comprehensive mapping of youth mental health in Cyprus, revealing that 86% of youth report high levels of anxiety and uncertainty about the future, while 75% feel constant pressure and stress. Furthermore, although 60% of young people said they needed to visit a mental health professional, fewer than half (43%) actually did so, due to stigma, lack of awareness, or limited access. Its recommendations have directly informed the National Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan.

Through social media, podcasts, TV appearances, articles and events—the campaign will share tips, helplines, and resources to normalize conversations about mental health and empower young people to seek help. It targets not only youth aged 15–24, but also parents, educators, caregivers, and the wider community.

“Supporting the mental well-being of our youth is not just a health priority—it is a national priority”, highlights Alexandros Tifas, Mental Health Nursing Officer of the Ministry of Health. “By investing in youth resilience today, we safeguard the future of our society. This project represents an important step towards creating a Cyprus where every young person feels supported, heard, and empowered to seek help without stigma”.

Beyond addressing immediate needs, the initiative lays the groundwork for a long-term National Mental Health Strategy. By aligning with international best practices and actively involving young people in designing solutions, Cyprus is taking decisive steps toward a sustainable and inclusive approach to mental health. The project has also been reviewed and approved by the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee, ensuring ethical compliance and respect for the voices of young participants.

Stay Connected

Follow the campaign on the Youth Board of Cyprus and CARDET social media channels, or under the hashtags #OnMyMind #MoreToSay and #ΜίλαΑνοιχτά #ΕίναιΟΚoτιΝιώθεις for updates and useful resources.

Youth Board of Cyprus social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrganismosNeolaiasKyprou
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgneolaias/

CARDET social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CARDETngo/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cardetngo/ 

About the Project

The project Supporting Mental Health Resilience among Youth in Cyprus is funded by the European Commission via the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) and implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Cyprus. CARDET coordinates the research component with the support of the Youth Board of Cyprus (ONEK) and the Cyprus Youth Council (CYC). Project Reference: ECARO/PCA202294/SPD2024252

Read the full report here!

For further information and support regarding Mental Health, click here!