Let's listen to children on mental health

Today is World Children's Day. Across China, more than 50 cities and communities are joining their counterparts around the world in reaffirming their commitment to children's rights. Each year, UNICEF creates space for children to speak out on an issue that matters to them. In China, this year's theme is an issue of growing concern: mental health of children and adolescents.

UNICEF defines mental health conditions as a range of conditions, including anxiety and depression, that affect a child's thoughts, emotions or behaviour, and can interfere with their ability to learn and function at school, at home, and in the community.

Around the world, poor mental health is causing suffering for children and young people. It is a top cause of death, disease and disability, especially for older adolescents. Globally, more than 13 percent of children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 (one in seven) are living with a diagnosed mental health condition, according to the World Health Organization and UNICEF. This is severely affecting their childhoods.