Youth mental health funding skewed toward treatment, not prevention, says new report

The mental wellbeing crisis among young people requires urgent and proactive strategies that focus on early identification, prevention, and promotion says the new report ‘A vision for youth mental wellbeing in Europe’.

As mental health conditions increasingly affect the younger population, there is growing recognition that a shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention can mitigate risks and foster long-term resilience. The recent report by the Z Zurich Foundation underscores the necessity of this approach, outlining key strategies for systemic change.

Prevention and promotion

Mental well-being is more than the absence of mental illness; it encompasses psychological, social, and emotional welfare. “We need to make people understand that mental health, like physical health, is not the absence of disorder,” explained Dr Daniel Rijo, Associate Professor at the University of Coimbra in the report.

Promotion initiatives create enabling environments for positive mental well-being, focusing on emotional literacy and equipping young people with coping mechanisms.

Prevention identifies and mitigates risk factors before conditions develop, addressing social and environmental determinants.

Investment in mental well-being is not only a human imperative but also an economic one. Research from the report has demonstrated that “every Euro invested into mental wellbeing programs and early detection yields €24 worth of returns by mitigating the negative economic impacts of mental health challenges on education, employment, and savings”.

However, despite this clear benefit, current mental health spending is overwhelmingly directed toward treatment rather than prevention and promotion.

A funding imbalance remains – while evidence shows that preventive mental health programs are cost-effective, they receive disproportionately less funding. A rebalancing of priorities is needed to support long-term systemic change.

Early identification

Early identification plays a crucial role in addressing mental well-being challenges before they escalate into crises. It bridges the gap between prevention and necessary intervention, allowing for timely support.

“Prevention is not prevalent enough today. Even in schools where psychologists are available, they are often seen as being there to speak only to ‘troubled’ kids,” said Pedro Dantas da Cunha, Secretary of State for Administration and Innovation in Education, Government of Portugal, commenting in the report.

He added: “They should be there for everyone… strengthening connections between schools and communities, promoting mental wellbeing and delivering targeted interventions for some children,”

Structured early identification programs require integration into non-clinical settings, such as schools, workplaces, and digital platforms. Programs like the Icehearts Europe project, funded by the EU4Health Action Grant, demonstrate success in identifying at-risk youth through sports and mentorship.

Mitigating risk factors

Mental health risks stem from a complex interplay of individual, interpersonal, and macro factors. Youth mental wellbeing is influenced by hormonal changes, digital exposure, economic uncertainty and societal stressors like stigma.

“The brain undergoes major development from adolescence into the mid-20s, and this is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. This is also when we see an increase in the emergence of mental health conditions,” explains Joanna Lai, Health Specialist in the report.

Given these complexities, targeted interventions are essential. Vulnerable groups, such as young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, migrant adolescents, and those experiencing discrimination, require specialised support.

Studies highlighted in the report indicate that addressing socio-economic stressors, such as job instability and financial insecurity, can significantly reduce mental health challenges.

Building positive coping mechanisms

Sandra Camós, Director of Education at Fundación Princesa de Girona explained in the report that equipping young people with emotional resilience is central to mental wellbeing. He explained that “Having these emotional well-being tools in your ‘backpack’ makes you more resilient.”

Schools and community programs play a critical role in fostering these skills through emotional literacy education, stress management techniques, and peer support networks.

Community-based approaches create support systems beyond traditional healthcare settings. Programs that incorporate sports, arts, and digital engagement help young people develop confidence and self-awareness, reducing their likelihood of experiencing severe mental health challenges.

Rebalancing the system

Despite the clear benefits of prevention and promotion, funding remains disproportionately focused on treatment. Policymakers must rebalance priorities to emphasise early interventions.

“Calibrating how attention, funding, and resources are distributed between treatment, prevention, and promotion can help activate long-term solutions for youth mental wellbeing,” states the report.

This shift is already underway in some EU countries. For example, France has integrated mental health promotion into education policies, and Portugal is redefining the role of school psychologists to include preventive care.

However, broader adoption of these approaches is needed to ensure that every young person has access to proactive mental well-being support.

Towards a resilient future

A shift towards proactive mental well-being strategies is essential in addressing the ongoing crisis. Early identification, prevention, and promotion provide a comprehensive framework that enables young people to navigate challenges before they escalate.

By prioritising these measures, stakeholders can create a future where youth mental wellbeing is safeguarded not just in moments of crisis, but as an integral part of everyday life.

[Edited By Brian Maguire | Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab ]