Child and Adolescent Mental Health Took Center Stage at CAMHI’s Conference
The second full day of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Initiative (CAMHI) conference was held at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre in Athens, Greece, on 27 February 2025.
The conference gathered over 750 in-person and over 1,000 virtual attendees, including experts, educators, caregivers, youth, and other stakeholders.
This year’s conference discussed CAMHI’s progress and future steps in addressing mental health challenges faced by children and adolescents in Greece.
During the conference, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the Child Mind Institute hosted a session on ‘‘Local Roots, Global Reach’’.
The session explored how the SNF Global Center leverages local strengths and global expertise to advance mental health solutions worldwide by engaging youth, communities, and professionals.
Dr. Harold Koplewicz, Founding President and Medical Director of the Child Mind Institute a leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need, stressed that ’’mental health disorders do not discriminate rich or poor, black, white, yellow, or brown; all kids can experience disorders.’’ However, he added that ’’for those burdened with more challenges such as greater economic burdens, increased stigma, and fewer resources, it becomes more difficult to address these disorders effectively.’’ He noted.
Photo credit: Pelagia Karanikola.
Mental Health: A Global Crisis of children and adolescents
As Dr. Harold kept on highlighting, currently, 1 in 7 children and adolescents experience mental disorders, with 75% of these disorders emerging before the age of 18. Alarmingly, 80% of those diagnosed with a mental health disorder do not receive treatment. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that 90% of affected children reside in low- and middle-income countries, where mental health services are frequently limited or unavailable.
In line with the above statement, during the conference’s opening panel, Dr Harold Koplewicz had underscored the persistent global mental health crisis, adding that ’’suicide remains the second leading cause of death among children worldwide.’’ He also called for intensified efforts to address this pressing issue, stressing the collective responsibility of parents, teachers, and paediatricians at the forefront of diagnosing and supporting young individuals.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Koplewicz expressed optimism about the future, highlighting the critical role of initiatives and partnerships supported by foundations such as the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). He believes that with sustained collaboration and investment, there is hope for meaningful progress in improving mental health outcomes for children and adolescents globally. “The future is bright,” he affirmed, “but it requires our unwavering commitment and action.” He concluded.
During the same conference’s opening panel, Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Initiative. “Openly discussing youth mental health is a critical step, but it’s only the beginning,” he said. “Real solutions come through collaboration, like the partnership between the Initiative, the Child Mind Institute, SNF, and the Greek state,” Dracopoulos emphasized the need to integrate the Initiative into the national health system to ensure its long-term impact on youth mental health in Greece.
On behalf of Deputy Minister of Health Marios Themistocleous, representing the Greek state, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Initiative, supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. He highlighted the importance of addressing the mental health of children and adolescents through meaningful interventions.
Themistocleous reiterated the Greek state’s dedication to ensuring access to mental health services for all, highlighting that coordinated efforts are essential for a better future for younger generations.
The conference addressed a range of critical issues surrounding mental health in children and adolescents, focusing on strategies for treating anxiety and depression. Experts recalled the essential role of pediatricians in early intervention and highlighted the importance of educators in fostering students’ mental well-being.
A significant portion of the discussion centered on the initiative’s efforts to establish a collaborative network between mental health professionals and the judicial system, aimed at tackling issues such as violence, abuse, and the urgent need for child protection services.
A particularly engaging panel titled “The Power of Words: Media’s Responsibility in Mental Health Dialogue,” curated and moderated by iMEdD (Incubator for Media Education and Development), brought together journalists, trauma experts, and psychiatrists. They explored the impact of language and the media’s role in combating the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
One of the conference highlights was the participation of young people from the youth advisory groups of CAHMI’s Youth Engagement Scheme (YES). Three former members shared their insights with the audience, emphasizing the need for more participatory and supportive initiatives within school communities.
The event concluded with a captivating musical performance by the youth wind and percussion ensemble “Decibel Collective” from El Sistema Greece: Art Act, showcasing the artistic talents of young people engaged in mental health advocacy.