Youth Advocates Call on Global Leaders to Prioritize Youth Mental Health

USA - English

• USA - English

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Youth Advocates Call on Global Leaders to Prioritize Youth Mental Health
The Global Coalition on Youth Mental Health, with Presenting Sponsor, American Eagle, Host Advocacy Event in Conjunction with United Nations General Assembly

Today, the second annual event, "YMentalHealth? Our Future Depends on It," will convene youth advocates, health experts, policy-makers, and other stakeholders in New York City to call on global leaders to prioritize youth mental health, in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Organized by the Global Coalition on Youth Mental Health – an inclusive, multinational, youth-inspired initiative – and hosted at American Eagle Union Square. American Eagle is a leading youth specialty apparel brand committed to empowering its customers through their style, strength, passion and purpose. The event will urge policy action on youth mental health and ask advocates and young people to share why youth mental health matters with the hashtag #YNow.

"As policy-makers gather for the UN General Assembly, youth advocates are seizing this opportunity to push for a comprehensive policy effort on youth mental health," said Kathryn Goetzke, founder of iFred and Advisory Committee member of the Global Coalition on Youth Mental Health which aims to amplify the many voices on youth mental health to galvanize awareness, collaboration, and action. "We are proud to help these advocates raise awareness of the growing toll of mental illness on youth, families, and communities in every country around the world. We need policy action, now – our future depends on it."

The event will feature youth advocates who will speak about their experiences with mental health and why this challenge should be at the top the global agenda. Policy-makers from around the world will also attend and discuss mental health responses, especially in light of the UN's growing focus on achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The event is part of the Global Coalition on Youth Mental Health's ongoing campaign to drive global policy momentum, building on recent achievements like the mental health language in the G7 Communiques from 2018 and 2019.

"At American Eagle we work hard to put our customers first, and we believe we have a responsibility to raise awareness for the importance of youth mental health," commented Chad Kessler, American Eagle Global Brand President. "We are proud to sponsor this event, while helping to amplify the voices of inspiring young leaders who are dedicated to changing the conversation surrounding mental health."

"Young people are demanding long overdue innovation in how mental health can thrive and how treatment for mental illness can be designed and accessed, questioning conventional wisdom about more traditional approaches." said Gary Belkin, Chief - Policy and Strategy, Thrive NYC in the NYC Mayors Office. "Safeguarding youth mental health in more ambitious ways has to be a cornerstone for building sustainable societies, and for the social climate and resilience to get there."

The event invites people online and in-person to share what youth mental health means to them and why it matters now, using the hashtag #YNow. Youth advocates from around the globe will have the opportunity to join the conversation online, through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook's livestreaming platform. Users can participate on social media by following @y_mentalhealth and @AEO on Twitter using the #ynow and #mentalhealth hashtags.

Globally, one-in-five adolescents may experience a mental health problem each year, and the majority of mental health conditions manifest before age 24. In economic terms, the annual cost of mental illness is projected to more than double from $2.5 trillion in 2010 to $6 trillion in 2030. These disastrous, growing impacts indicate the importance of building global and national policy responses to youth mental health.

Featured Speakers include:

Youth Advocates:

• Lian Zeitz, CitiesRise
• Gabby Frost, The Buddy Project
• Ali Hougnou, Project Heal
• Nora Nissenbaum and Charlotte Holzapfel, Commit2Kind
• Peter Lee-Kramer, Student Advocate

Global Policy experts:

• Dr. Victor Ugo, Founder, Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI)
• Dr. Gary Belkin, MD, PhD, MPH, Chief – Strategy and Policy, Office of the Mayor
• Dr. Emmanuel Ankrah Odame, Director, Policy, Planning, and Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Health, Ghana and Member of UHC 2030 Steering Committee
• Dr. Holly K. Shaw, PhD, RN, Representative to the United Nations DPI & ECOSOC

About the Global Coalition on Youth Mental Health
The Global Coalition on Youth Mental Health is an inclusive, multinational, youth-inspired initiative that aims to amplify the many voices on youth mental health. Worldwide, we are engaging with leading mental health organizations, young people experiencing mental illness, and the communities that support them to galvanize awareness, collaboration, and action. For more information, follow the Coalition on their website ymentalhealth.org or on Twitter @y_mentalhealth.

Contact: Brooks Kenny, 240-535-0848

About American Eagle
Since 1977, American Eagle has offered an assortment of specialty apparel and accessories for men and women that enables self-expression and empowers our customers to celebrate their individuality. The brand has broadened its leadership in jeans by producing innovative fabric with options for all styles and fits for all at a value. We aren't just passionate about making great clothing, we're passionate about making real connections with the people who wear them. Visit http://www.ae.com to find your perfect pair of #AEJeans

SOURCE Global Coalition on Youth Mental Health