2003 Wellbeing of Children & Adolescents
"A century that began with children having virtually no rights is ending with children having the most powerful legal instrument that not only recognizes but protects their human rights." ~ Carol Bellamy, UNICEF Executive Director
General Principles Underlying the Need for Prevention and Promotion Programs in Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- There is no health without mental health; mental health is an integral part of overall health and quality of life.
- Mental and behavioural disorders have grown to epidemic proportions and create a large social and economic burden to society.
- To address the epidemic of mental and behavioural disorders, prevention and promotion must be recognized as essential components of a public health approach alongside treatment and maintenance.
- Because of their positive effects in multiple sectors - education, economic, and legal, the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental and behavioural disorders are in the shared interest of diverse groups of stakeholders. An opportunity exists to develop powerful intersectoral coalitions for promotion and prevention at global, regional, national, and local level.
- Discrimination and stigma regarding mental and behavioural disorders continue to impede the development and delivery of prevention, treatment, maintenance, and rehabilitation services.
- Effective evidence-based programs and policies are available to promote mental health, enhance resilience, reduce risk factors, increase protective factors, and prevent mental and behavioural disorder.
- Growing evidence demonstrates that these practices can be cost-effective.
- Strengthening mental health and resilience not only reduces the risk of mental and behavioural disorders, but also contributes to better physical health, well-being, productive life, social capital, safer environments, and economic benefits.
Source: The World Federation for Mental Health, 2000.
What are some of the concepts of a mentally healthy child or young person?
- A sense of Being
- A sense of Becoming
- A sense of Belonging
- Positive thinking
- Healthy Lifestyle
- Exercise
- Clear head
- Ability to say No!
- Self esteem and confidence
- Friends
- Someone that cares
- Supportive
- A sense of family
- Sleep
- Resilience
- Creativity
- Laughter and fun
- Praise
- Hope
- Independence
- Values and Beliefs
- Inspiration
- Motivation
- Problem Solving skills
- Relaxation
- Positive Thinking
- Acceptance
- Tolerance
- Good Communication
- Love
- Trust
- Time
- Happiness
- Having Time Out
What is the convention on the rights of the child?
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the first international and legally binding document addressing a full range of human rights for children and adolescents. Adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in November 1989, and ratified by every country except Somalia and the United States, it is the most widely ratified treaty in existence.
The CRC addresses a broad spectrum of issues, including civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural issues. The goals of this instrument are to ensure minimum standards for health, education, physical security, and family and community life. In addition, it provides for protections from discrimination, physical abuse and exploitation, substance abuse, injustice and conflict. It also provides youths with the right to participate in and challenge decisions made on their behalf. Its articles can be classified into three categories, sometimes called the "3 Ps:" provision, protection and participation.
As stated by UNICEF, the CRC is built on varied legal systems and cultural traditions. It spells out the most basic human rights that children everywhere should have. By ratifying this instrument, national governments have committed themselves to protecting and ensuring children's rights and they have agreed to hold themselves accountable for this commitment before the international community.
When a country ratifies the treaty, a monitoring system requires an initial report two years after they have ratified the CRC and every five years subsequently. If you would like to see how your country is doing, please visit this site
