Commit to Break the Stigma's inputs on the impact of mental health challenges on young people's enjoyment of human rights were published in July 2026 by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner. 

Purpose: To inform the Office of the High Commissioner’s study on the impact of mental health challenges on the enjoyment of human rights by young people, to be presented at the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council in September 2026

Background

Young people’s mental health is essential, as it influences their ability to fully enjoy their human rights. It can empower young people to participate actively in society, access education and decent work, and exercise their rights fully. However, mental health challenges can create significant obstacles, affecting their enjoyment of their human rights and leading to discrimination, exclusion, and limited or no access to essential services. For marginalized youth and those in vulnerable situations, these challenges are often compounded, further restricting their rights and opportunities.

Human Rights Council resolution 57/30 on youth and human rights requests the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct a detailed study on the impact of mental health challenges on the enjoyment of human rights by young people, to be presented to the Council at its sixty-third session. It also requests that the report be carried out in consultation with States and relevant stakeholders, including relevant United Nations agencies, the United Nations Youth Office and the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, the treaty bodies, the special procedures of the Human Rights Council, national human rights institutions, civil society and representatives of youth organizations.

Objectives

The report aims to explore (i) the legal and policy framework concerning the human rights of young people in relation to mental health, (ii) the main barriers and challenges faced by young people experiencing mental health challenges in fully enjoying their human rights, and (iii) promising practices and solutions to promote young people’s right to mental health and ensure their full range of human rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled.

Key questions and types of input/comments sought

In order to inform the preparations of the study, the UN Human Rights Office has prepared a call for inputs for stakeholders to respond to concerning the focus areas of the report.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights invites all interested States, civil society organizations, representatives of youth organizations, international and regional organizations, national human rights institutions, academics and others, to provide written inputs to the following questions for this thematic study.

Respondents are requested to limit their comments to a maximum of 5 pages. Additional supporting materials, such as reports, academic studies, and other types of background materials may be annexed to the submission.

1. What are the main mental health challenges faced by young people in your country and what is the impact on their human rights? Please consider the specific situation of marginalized young people and those in vulnerable situations in your response.

2. What steps is the Government taking to address the root causes of the mental health challenges that young people face and ensure that young people’s human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled in this context? Please consider the specific situation of marginalized young people and those in vulnerable situations in your response.

3. What are the main barriers to the right to mental health for young people in your country and what is their impact on young people’s human rights? Please consider the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of mental health care and the specific situation of marginalized young people and those in vulnerable situations in your response.

4. What laws, policies and programmes exist in your country concerning the mental health of young people?

   1. Please provide examples of specific laws and regulations, strategies, action plans, public policies, and programmes directed at realizing young people’s right to mental health.

   2. Please indicate whether these measures were developed in consultation with young people and describe their impact on the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of mental health services.

5. What proportion of total public expenditure is allocated to health, specifically to mental health services for young people? In particular, please indicate any changes (including cuts or increases) in funding for programmes and services addressing youth mental health.

6. How can States deliver more effectively to ensure the full and effective realization of young people’s human right to mental health, including through international cooperation? Please share any promising practices.

The Report was done through consultation and research by our President, Samyukth Ayyar. We are delighted to see it published on the UN OHCHR's official website along with inputs from other global organizations. 

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT

https://www.ohchr.org/en/calls-for-input/2026/call-inputs-impact-mental-health-challenges-enjoyment-human-rights-young

https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/cfi-subm/2026/378-impact-mental-health/subm-impact-mental-health-cso-182-commit-break-stigma.pdf