Breaking the Silence: Centering Children and Young People in the NCD and Mental Health Agenda

On September 23rd, I had the opportunity to attend “Breaking the Silence: Centering Children and Young People in the NCD and Mental Health Agenda” at UNICEF House in New York. This powerful event brought together youth leaders, policymakers, and experts to highlight the urgent need to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health as interconnected challenges, especially for children and youth.

Health Challenges That Cannot Be Ignored

The discussions began with a sobering reminder: as access to alcohol and tobacco increases, and as conditions such as obesity and malnutrition rise, societies face growing health costs. These costs extend far beyond physical illnesses, spilling into mental health struggles that are too often overlooked. Speakers emphasized that we must act, by creating new mental health institutions, setting stronger restrictions on harmful substances, and integrating health education and advocacy into schools.

Creativity and Children’s Voices

One of the youth panelists reminded us how creativity can be a powerful tool. Art, stories, and music allow young people to express difficult experiences in ways statistics alone cannot. Another youth leader reinforced that children are not just the future, but the present, their voices matter now.

The connection between climate and mental health also came forward. Negative climate events, like floods or droughts, can create trauma and uncertainty, especially for children. In some cases, this leads to lasting effects such as anxiety, depression, or even phobias. Recognizing these links helps us understand that climate policies must also address health and well-being.

Laws, Rights, and Systems Thinking

Speakers also highlighted the importance of embedding children’s rights directly into law. For example, in Norway, children are referenced more than 150 times in the constitution, a signal of national commitment to their well-being. Laws and human rights frameworks can act as guiding lights for systemic change.

Other discussions pushed us to think beyond one-off solutions. Instead of tackling issues in isolation, we must strengthen entire systems — from training staff and ensuring supply chains, to developing sustainable financing models. Even under financial constraints, creativity and collaboration can help build stronger, more resilient health systems.

The Role of Communities and Partnerships

A recurring theme was that communities must be at the center of solutions. Governments should serve communities, not dictate to them. Real change begins at the local level, where support is most urgently needed.

Gregory Renand underscored the importance of integrated prevention — acknowledging that NCDs and mental health are deeply intertwined. He also called on us to rethink how we view private sector partnerships. It is not just about funding. True partnerships must be evaluated based on expertise, networks, and relationships. Each organization brings unique resources, and when combined, these diverse strengths can create meaningful, lasting impact.

A Closing Reminder

The event ended with a quote that stays with me:

“Investing in health and well-being is investing in the future of innovations.”

Final Reflection

This event left me with a deeper appreciation for the importance of linking physical and mental health, and for placing children and youth at the center of these solutions. At Visioning Ambition, we share this belief: amplifying young voices and creating safe spaces for them to share their stories is not only a matter of equity, it’s the most effective way to shape policies that truly reflect lived realities.