Early intervention is key to preventing long-term mental health problems. By identifying and addressing mental health issues at a young age, it is possible to mitigate their impact on a person’s life trajectory. Access to mental health services, including counseling and therapy, can provide young people with the tools they need to cope with stress and trauma. Unfortunately, mental health services in South Africa are often under-resourced and inaccessible to those who need them most. Increasing investment in mental health infrastructure and training more mental health professionals is essential.

Government policies must prioritise youth mental health to create a supportive framework for all other efforts. This includes not only funding for mental health services but also policies that address the root causes of mental health issues, such as poverty, education, and violence. Collaborative efforts between government, non-profits, and the private sector are necessary to develop comprehensive strategies that effectively address the multifaceted nature of youth mental health.

It is in this spirit that the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at UCT’s Graduate School of Business, has produced this report as part of an overall project to better support youth mental health. The project has three objectives: to emphasize the importance of mental health and psychosocial support for young people, share best practices for psychosocial support, and explore policy-level interventions required to make the delivery and uptake of youth-focused psychosocial support easier.

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