Innovating for young people’s wellbeing
Being is an international mental health initiative working toward a world where young people feel well and thrive. We’re working together with young peopleto improve their mental wellbeing through research and innovation. By focusing on mental health prevention and promotion, Being aims to create positive, lasting change in local communities and beyond.
The initiative is hosted by Grand Challenges Canada (funded in part by the Government of Canada) in partnership with Fondation Botnar, The UK’s Department of Health and Social Care using UK aid through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Science for Africa Foundation, and United for Global Mental Health.
Those closest to mental health challenges are best placed to identify needs and barriers and offer innovative and sustainable solutions.
That’s why Being has supported locally-driven landscape analyses and consultations with youth, policymakers, local organizations, and mental health experts in the 12 priority countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Vietnam.
The goal? To understand each country’s unique challenges and opportunities: What’s driving young people’s mental health, and how can we build consensus around priorities for advocacy and funding. The findings from this work have already informed our funding priorities in innovation and ecosystem building. Check out our report of the findings below!