Across Europe, many young people say they feel overwhelmed by crises, stigma, and uncertainty. At the same time, a significant percentage express a desire to actively contribute to the well-being of others. In other words, the very same generation that is facing significant mental health challenges also says it is ready to be part of the solution.

In mental health, the discussion often centers on professionals, clinics, and individual treatment plans. All of these are essential. However, when a significant portion of the population— young people, is not involved in determining how the support they receive is shaped, even the most sophisticated system may fail to meet their actual needs. According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, children and young people have the right to express their views on all matters affecting them, and mental health policy is clearly part of this framework.

A New Direction for Cyprus

Through the European Union-funded project titled “Supporting Mental Health and Care for the Well-Being of Vulnerable Children and Youth,” implemented by UNICEF, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus, and the CARDET research center, with the support of the European Commission, Cyprus took a significant step toward changing the way decisions are made regarding the mental health of young people. Youth participation was embedded at the core of the reform. It was not treated as a supplementary activity, but as an essential part of the system’s governance.

The Cyprus Youth Council participated as a full member of the project’s Steering Committee, alongside the Ministry of Health, the Cyprus Youth Organization, the European Commission, and UNICEF. At the same time, young people officially participated in the Working Groups of the National Mental Health Strategy, where they discussed data and evidence-based recommendations, shared their views, and made a substantial contribution to shaping the final strategy. They did not limit themselves to simply endorsing conclusions; they actively participated in shaping the decisions.

From Consultation to Policy Co-creation

All too often, youth participation is limited to a questionnaire or a single focus group. These tools are useful, but they are not enough. Meaningful participation begins when young people are included in the decision-making process and have clear roles, responsibilities, and a continuous presence in the process.

In Cyprus’s reform process, youth representatives participated well-prepared, bringing with them the results of consultations, policy proposals, and personal experiences from diverse youth communities, including individuals facing socioeconomic difficulties or social exclusion. They helped identify gaps and shortcomings in services, supported research and awareness-raising initiatives, and participated in the governance processes overseeing the implementation of the measures. This participation became a collective process rather than a symbolic invitation extended to a few youth representatives.

Learning from European practices

Immediate and easily accessible mental health services for young people across Europe are already demonstrating how a system can function in which young people are treated as partners/rather than merely as service recipients. Examples such as @ease in the Netherlands, Jigsaw in Ireland, Peaasi in Estonia, and soulspace in Germany offer youth-friendly, spaces with direct access, where peer supporters and young volunteers play a central role in providing timely support. These models demonstrate that when services are co-designed with young people, more of their peers are likely to feel safe seeking help early on.

Despite their differences, all these initiatives share a common principle: young people participate in the planning, communication, and delivery of services. They participate in advisory groups, help determine operating hours and communication methods, and serve as a bridge between professional systems and their communities. Cyprus can draw valuable insights from these examples as it strengthens its own services and peer support networks.

A Call to Action in Cyprus

Cyprus is already among the countries that view youth participation in mental health as an essential governance tool rather than merely a public relations exercise. The new Framework for Youth Active Participation and the awareness campaign #SpeakUp #It’sOKToFeelWhatYouFeel, which was co-created with young people, demonstrate what can be achieved when political will is combined with structured participation mechanisms.

The next step is to deepen and expand this approach in schools, youth centers, digital spaces, local services, prevention programs, and community support structures, where peer support will complement the work of professionals. For public institutions, this means opening up decision-making processes and providing meaningful support to youth organizations so they can actively participate. For professionals and civil society, it means recognizing young people as equal partners with valuable knowledge based on lived experience.

And for young people themselves, it is a clear call to action: their voice is essential not only to highlight the challenges they face, but also to help design solutions that will lead Cyprus toward a more inclusive future with a stronger culture of mental well-being. If we want mental health strategies that truly work, then we must shape them not for young people, but together with them.

The project “Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being Care for Vulnerable Children and Youth” was funded by the European Union through the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by UNICEF, in collaboration with the European Commission and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus. The CARDET research center coordinated the study and implemented related activities, with the support of the Cyprus Youth Council and the Cyprus Youth Organization.

Contribution to the text: Anahit Minassian, Technical Support Coordinator for Youth Mental Health, UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, in collaboration with the Cyprus Youth Council