Young People Shape the Future of Mental Health Support in Cyprus

Young people in Cyprus are helping drive meaningful change in how mental health is understood, prioritised, and supported nationwide. After 26 months of coordinated action, the EU-funded project “Supporting Mental Health Resilience among Youth in Cyprus” has delivered significant progress in research, policy development, youth engagement, and public awareness.

Implemented by UNICEF Central Europe and Asia, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, CARDET, the Youth Board of Cyprus, the Cyprus Youth Council, and the support of the municipalities of Lakatamia and Kourion, the initiative placed youth voices at the centre of mental health promotion and prevention efforts.

The project was guided by a clear vision: to expand opportunities for young people aged 15–24 to benefit from youth-friendly mental health support, articulate their needs, and participate directly in the design and implementation of services at community level.

Responding to an Urgent Reality

The initiative addressed a growing need for mental health support among young people in Cyprus:

• 75% of young people report experiencing constant pressure and anxiety
• 86% feel uncertain about their future
• A persistent help gap remains: while 60% recognise they need support, only 43% seek help

These national findings reflect wider global trends, where mental health conditions affect approximately 75% of young people up to the age of 25. Despite the scale of the challenge, only 56% of countries worldwide have dedicated child and adolescent mental health policies, and fewer than half provide community-based youth mental health services.

Evidence, Participation, and System Strengthening

The project combined research, participatory approaches, and capacity-building to strengthen the youth mental health landscape in Cyprus. Key actions included:

• Mapping youth mental health services and identifying systemic gaps
• Engaging young people through structured participation mechanisms
• Supporting municipalities to make mental health support more locally accessible
• Training frontline professionals in youth-friendly approaches
• Contributing youth-driven recommendations to national policy processes
• Delivering a nationwide awareness campaign

Central to these efforts was participatory research and systems analysis, including the report “Young Minds Matter: Mental Health Support for Youth and Children in Cyprus”. The research provides actionable evidence to inform policy decisions, service development, and the implementation of the National Mental Health Strategy.

Measurable Reach and Public Engagement

The national awareness campaign generated strong public visibility and engagement:

• Nearly 2 million total campaign interactions
• More than 430,000 individuals reached, representing approximately 38% of the population
• 1.6 million views through social media channels
• Over 114,000 documented community engagements

These results contributed to expanding national dialogue on youth mental health, reducing stigma, and encouraging help-seeking behaviours.

Structural and Policy Achievements

The initiative supported several landmark developments:

• Youth voices reflected in the National Mental Health Strategy and National Youth Strategy 2030
• Institutionalisation of youth participation in strategy development and monitoring
• Introduction of a dedicated national budget line for youth engagement in mental health promotion and prevention
• Implementation of Cyprus’s first participatory research initiative on youth mental health
• Launch of a Mental Health First Aid training programme pilot
• Prioritisation of youth mental health at a High-Level Ministerial Conference during the EU Presidency

Strengthening Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange

The project also advanced cross-sectoral cooperation and international learning:

• Youth mental health highlighted during the EU Presidency, with the project showcased at a high-level conference
• Study-visit to Ireland supporting exchange of best practices
• Engagement of more than 150 stakeholders across policy, research, and service sectors
• Delivery of seven targeted workshops co-designing youth mental health solutions

Tools and Support for Young People

Young people can continue accessing information, participation opportunities, and support through:

• ONEK Mental Health Portal: https://onek.org.cy/en/mental-health/
• U-Report Bot: https://ureport.in/
• uSupport Information Portal: https://usupport.online/en/information-portal?tab=articles

Looking Ahead

By positioning young people as active partners in research, policy, and service design, Cyprus is advancing a more inclusive and responsive approach to mental health promotion. The project demonstrates how youth engagement, combined with evidence-driven policy and institutional collaboration, can contribute to sustainable mental health system strengthening.

Video Highlights of the Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRlV4Q1Obj4

Learn more about the Project: https://cardet.org/mental-health/