The second annual Global Summit on Youth Mental Health, hosted by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the Child Mind Institute in New York, addressed the importance of involving young people in discussions about their mental health. This year's summit, titled “Redefining Mental Health Care: Youth Perspectives in a Changing World,” coincided with the UN General Assembly and included international mental health experts from organizations like UNICEF, the WHO, and the YMCA.
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Andreas Dracopoulos, Co-President of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, delivered introductory remarks emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue about mental health issues, especially as more interactions move to digital formats. Young moderators from the SNF Global Center's Global Youth Advisory Council, representing Brazil, Greece, and South Africa, led panels on school support and mental health in online spaces.
A key highlight was the presentation by an 18-year-old Brazilian, who spoke about his social media mental health intervention, “Libélulas” (“Dragonflies”). Participants, both young and adult, discussed the need for accountability when feedback from young people is collected. They noted that while adult experiences can bias discussions, the unique insights of youth can enrich conversations about mental health.
In addition to the panel discussions, young attendees participated in a youth networking event and workshops focused on mental health advocacy and effective communication strategies.