Overview

Did you know?  

• 20% of the world's children and adolescents have mental health disorders.
• Three in four mental illnesses start in childhood. 
• Depression is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents worldwide.  
• Suicide is one of the leading cause of death in youths. 
• If the child mental health disorders are not treated in childhood and adolescence, the expenses for   the treatment of the consequences  in adulthood will cause a significant economic burden to the countries 
• Mental health promotion and prevention of mental disorders are keys to helping children and adolescents thrive.  

Current Situation

• Nowhere in the world are there adequate resources to support the development of cheerful child mental health.
• Shortages exist in professional and non-professional resources to implement programs and treatment.
• Training is lacking to develop the types of individuals needed to implement quality programs.
• Research in child and adolescent mental health lags behind that of other areas of mental health.

Challenges to Accomplish Goals of Child Mental Health: 

• Lack of awareness of the economic, social and educational impact of inadequate child mental health. 
• A failure to recognise the profound impact adverse life events have on the mental health of the developing child and adolescent. 
• Competition for limited resources in the health and social service sectors of most countries throughout the world. 
• The rights of children are not recognised and promoted in the laws of countries. 

Strategic Initiatives: 

• IACAPAP and other NGOs must work together with common goals and strategies to support global child mental health. 
• The economic arguments must be developed in clear statements of the cost of poor child mental health for the individual, family and society. 
• The education and pediatric sectors must be brought into an alliance to foster child mental health. 
• Basic literacy regarding child and adolescent mental health should be part of the training of all professionals and para-professionals entering the health and education sectors who may have contact with children and adolescents. 

Your support will promote implementing projects listed in "How You Can Help" to improve child and adolescent mental health worldwide. 
 

Q: Does IACAPAP accept donations in kind?  
A: Unfortunately, we cannot accept donations in kind.  

Q: How can I be sure my online donation has been accepted?  
A: If you entered a valid email address, you would receive a message confirming your donation.  If you don't receive an email within about 15 minutes, please contact us to confirm your donation.  

Q: Is my donation to the IACAPAP tax-deductible?  
A: If you pay tax in Switzerland, you may be able to deduct donations to the IACAPAP from your taxable income. The yearly minimum and amount deductible can vary from canton to canton.  

The IACAPAP is an international organisation registered in Switzerland. If you pay tax in another country, please reach out to your country's tax authorities to know if your donation is eligible for a tax deduction. 

Q: How is the IACAPAP funded?  
A: The primary source of income is membership dues.  

Your donation is welcome. Your support to IACAPAP will promote the implementation of projects that focus on improving child and adolescent mental health worldwide.