As governments across the Commonwealth grapple with the growing impact of mental health challenges on young people, the Commonwealth Secretary-General sat down with a group of youth advocates and practitioners for a candid dialogue during World Suicide Prevention Week.
Their message was clear: young people are not simply recipients of mental health services. They are innovators, peer supporters and partners whose voices must help shape the policies designed to protect lives.
The dialogue created a safe space for about 20 participants to share their experiences, concerns and hopes for the future. Speaking candidly about the realities of mental health challenges, the young people highlighted the growing pressures facing their generation, including social isolation, stigma, economic uncertainty, academic stress and the impact of online environments on wellbeing.
Rather than delivering formal remarks, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, encouraged participants to speak openly about their experiences and the changes they would like to see. She underscored the need for collective action and sustained investment in youth wellbeing, saying:
“Mental health is not a youth issue alone. It is a societal issue that requires all of us to listen, learn and act together. It is a fundamental factor for building resilience, prosperity and development.”
Setting the tone, a young musician named Annia Mathews from Antigua and Barbuda performed a moving song, celebrating hope, resilience and the voice of youth in the mental health space.
The discussion that followed explored practical ways governments, institutions and communities can strengthen mental health support systems, reduce stigma and ensure that young people have access to the services they need.
A timely discussion
For the young participants, the opportunity to engage directly with the Secretary-General was both empowering and encouraging. Many welcomed the chance to speak frankly about their lived experiences and to contribute ideas that could help shape future action across the Commonwealth.
Joshua Opey, Chairperson of Commonwealth Youth Council, spoke about the importance of creating spaces where young voices are heard, respected and reflected in decision-making processes.
Jasmine Brittan, Commonwealth Youth Council National Youth Delegate, highlighted the need to incorporate mental health awareness in school curriculums early on so that children grow up knowing the triggers, and able to identify when to ask for help.
The dialogue comes at a significant moment as preparations continue for the Commonwealth Youth Forum at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda in November.
The Forum will bring together young leaders from across the Commonwealth to discuss the issues that matter most to their generation and to present recommendations to Heads of Government.
There, conversations on youth mental health will be elevated from individual experiences to a Commonwealth-wide agenda for action. At the Forum, young leaders, policymakers and stakeholders will explore how youth-driven solutions can strengthen health systems and expand access to support.
This dialogue reinforces a central message ahead of the Forum: young people are not simply beneficiaries of policy decisions but essential partners in shaping solutions.
Learn more about the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Forum
