International day for children and adolescents dedicated to mental health

Today, November 20, is the International Day of the Rights of the Child. Unicef ​​dedicates a global day of action to children every year, in order to raise awareness of the rights of children and adolescents. In fact, on November 20, 1989 the Convention on the rights of children and adolescents fromUnited Nations General Assembly. It is the most ratified human rights treaty in the world with 196 States Parties; ratified by Italy on May 27, 1991 (Law No. 176).

Day of childhood and adolescence

This year Unicef ​​Italia has chosen a particularly significant theme in a post-pandemic phase that still afflicts the whole world. There are many children and adolescents who are dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic and for whom it was decided to create a focus on mental health and the well-being psychosocial. This is a fundamental area to counter the effects of the pandemic. To rethink a better future and ensure the basis of the human ability to think. To feel, learn, work and establish deep and meaningful relationships.

According to statistical data, suicide is the fifth cause of death in the world for young people between 15 and 19 years of age, the second cause in Europe. Let's talk about almost 46 teenagers who take their own lives every year, more than one every 11 minutes. Nearly half of all mental health issues start within 14 years of age and 75% of these develop within the age of 24. Most cases, however, are not identified, nor taken care of. In the light of the data that emerged, Unicef ​​Italy has implemented a series of actions, including the petition Mental health for children and adolescents. In this way we want to respond urgently to the growing psychological discomfort of minors. In the territories we want to encourage greater efforts to promote, prevent and protect the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children and adolescents.

This is me

To reflect on one's inner world, it was decided to involve girls, boys, boys and girls, through the self-portraits created by themselves thanks to "This is me". An initiative aimed at schools of all levels. The making of your own self-portrait represents one of the best ways to communicate and express one's own inner world. In practice, a synthesis is created between the real image (how I am), the social image (how I want to appear) and the ideal image (what I aspire to). Its realization is influenced by the state of mind and the personal vision of the world. 

(Texts and images www.unicef.it)