Call for projects and initiatives on children’s mental health

Are you under 18 and doing something to support children’s mental health? We want to hear from you. We are looking for projects and initiatives designed and led by children that support children’s mental health or help children access mental health services. Share yours by 27 November 2026.

Quick links:

Child-friendly call for projects: English, Spanish, French
Share your project: Survey link
More information: Child-friendly note on the Annual Day on the Rights of the Child

What is this about?

Children’s mental health will be in focus at the United Nations (UN) in 2027. It starts in March 2027, when the UN Human Rights Council, where countries meet to discuss human rights, holds its Annual Day on the Rights of the Child on this topic.

We want decision-makers to hear what children think and what they are already doing. Many children are taking action on mental health, and their projects deserve to be seen and heard at the international level.

For children:

Who can take part?

Children under 18 who have designed and are leading a project or initiative that supports children’s mental health or children’s access to mental health services. You can take part on your own, as part of a child-led group or network, or through a school club, community group, sports club or children’s council or parliament.

What kind of projects are we looking for?

For example, projects and initiatives that:

raise awareness about mental health at school or on social media;
help children access mental health services;
ask adults and decision-makers to do better;
are any other idea that takes care of children’s mental health.

Your project can be big or small.

Your project will be shown. It will be part of a collection of projects and initiatives on the Child Rights Connect.
You can meet others. You can join online meetings to talk about your experience with other children who have similar projects, and to meet UN representatives who work on this topic.
You stay in the loop. You can stay in touch and hear about more opportunities like this one.

How do I apply? Deadline: 27 November 2026.

Fill in the survey to share your project and tell us if you would like to take part in the online meetings.

Want to know more about the UN Annual Day on the Rights of the Child and how to take part? Read the child-friendly note.

Good to know

- You decide what to share. Take part only if you want to, and you don’t need to talk about your own mental health difficulties.
- You will be safe. We follow the Child Rights Connect Child Safeguarding Policy. Read in English, French or Spanish.
- Talk to someone you trust if this topic brings up difficult feelings.

For adults and organisations who support children:

Many child-led projects have an organisation behind them. If you are a civil society organisation, an ombudsperson or children’s commissioner, a school or club, or you support a children’s council or parliament, you are often the one who can reach these children. We ask you to help us spread the call.

Share the call with the groups and initiatives of children you support that are working on children’s mental health, and through your wider networks. A project fits the call if it is designed or led by children under 18 and supports children’s mental health or their access to mental health services. Use the child-friendly call for projects in English, Spanish or French. You can also translate it into another language.
Encourage children to apply through the Survey link.
Prepare them well. Explain the call and related opportnities, make clear that taking part is voluntary, and check what consent is needed (from the child and a parent or guardian).
Keep children safe. Follow the Child Rights Connect Child Safeguarding Policy or your own, which should be at least equivalent. Children should focus on their actions and ideas, not on personal experiences of difficulty, and support should be available if they need it.
Help them join in. If children want to join the online meetings, help with internet access, interpretation and a quiet space, and give feedback on what happens next.