HM The Queen's speech on World Mental Health Day

It is a privilege to stand before you today, on World Mental Health Day 2024, a day dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for better mental health across the globe. This year’s theme, Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace, invites us to reflect on the spaces where we spend a significant portion of our lives. For adults, it is often the office or factory, but for children and adolescents, their workplace is the school. Just as we are called to protect the mental well-being of adults in the workforce, we must ensure that schools are environments where children can thrive, both emotionally and academically.

In schools, the stakes are high—not just for academic achievement, but for the mental health and emotional well-being of our students. A child's mental health has a direct impact on their capacity to learn, form relationships, and build the resilience they need to navigate life's challenges. Prioritising mental health in schools is not an optional extra; it is fundamental to creating a space where young minds can grow in a healthy and supportive environment.

We know that early intervention is key. By offering support to children and adolescents who show signs of mental distress, we can prevent small problems from growing into more serious issues. It is critical that we create systems of care within our schools, where educators, counselors, and mental health professionals work together to identify and address problems early. No child should feel they have to struggle alone.

In this regard, I am pleased to announce that the University of Gothenburg is embarking on a 10-year initiative to strengthen research on child and adolescent mental health, not only locally but globally. Universities play a crucial role in building the evidence base we need to develop effective interventions. Through robust research, we can identify what works, scale up successful programmes, and improve the lives of children around the world.

I am also very honoured to highlight the establishment of the Queen Silvia’s Professorship in Global Child and Adolescent Health. In December of last year, the University of Gothenburg received a very generous donation from honorary doctor Carl Bennet to inaugurate this professorship in my name on the occasion of my birthday. This professorship will ensure that research and advocacy for children’s mental health continues to be at the forefront of global health initiatives.

This year’s roundtable theme, Improving Child and Adolescent Mental Health in an Insecure World, brings attention to the mental health challenges faced by young people living in conflict zones. We already have substantial data showing the toll that war and displacement take on mental health, but the question remains: what can we do to reduce these impacts? Research has a pivotal role here. We must invest in understanding how to best support children’s mental health during these turbulent times, exploring what interventions truly make a difference.

One area where we urgently need more research is the mental health support for refugees and displaced families. Millions of children worldwide have been forced to flee their homes due to war and conflict, and their mental health is at great risk. Schools can play a critical role in the lives of these children by offering a stable environment, a sense of routine, and emotional support. But we must understand more about how best to structure this support, and that requires evidence-driven approaches.

Despite the enormity of these challenges, we are constantly inspired by stories of resilience and hope. Countless individuals who have overcome the darkest of circumstances. These stories remind us that while the obstacles are great, the human spirit is stronger.

Finally, we must recognise that the challenges of mental health in an insecure world are too vast for any one nation or institution to tackle alone. International collaboration is essential if we are to improve mental health outcomes, particularly in crisis-affected areas. It is vital that we listen to young people themselves in our research, ensuring their voices guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of mental health programmes. Youth engagement must be at the heart of our efforts if we are to create solutions that truly meet their needs.

In closing, let us commit today to prioritising mental health, not just in our own workplaces, but in the schools, homes, and communities that shape the lives of our children. Together, through early intervention, robust research, and international cooperation, we can create a world where every child can thrive emotionally, no matter the circumstances they face.

Thank you.