A recent study by the Z Zurich Foundation highlights the urgent need to improve mental health support for young people in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The report, titled ‘The State of Youth Mental Wellbeing in Asia-Pacific Region – A Case for Investing in Prevention and Promotion,’ emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive changes across diverse communities, ranging from affluent cities to underserved areas.
The study identifies over 750 million individuals aged 15 to 24 across South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific, underscoring that youth mental health requires immediate attention. Alarmingly, nearly half of all mental health issues manifest by age 14, and suicide ranks among the leading causes of death for individuals aged 15 to 29 in many countries.
Failure to address these mental health challenges can have severe human and economic consequences. Research shows that untreated mental health conditions can hinder education and employment opportunities while negatively impacting personal relationships into adulthood.
The APAC region is characterized by its geographical, cultural, and income diversity, which presents both opportunities and challenges for enhancing youth mental wellbeing. Investments in mental health prevention and promotion can yield significant economic returns. A cost-benefit analysis across 36 countries revealed that every dollar spent on adolescent mental health interventions results in an average return of $23.60.
Despite this potential for return, mental health funding often constitutes less than 1% of overall health budgets in many APAC countries, with even fewer resources allocated for mental wellbeing promotion. Promotion strategies focus on creating supportive environments that foster psychological wellbeing, such as improving emotional literacy and equipping youth with effective coping mechanisms. Prevention strategies aim to identify and reduce risk factors for mental health conditions, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Gregory Renand, head of the Z Zurich Foundation, stressed the need for unified solutions, stating, ‘The time for fragmented solutions is over. We must align across sectors, scale proven approaches, build collaborations, and invest in systems that put young people at the center. The future of the APAC region depends on it.’
Erin Hwang, head of brand marketing and communication at Zurich Malaysia, added, ‘We need to move from conversation to action by investing in early prevention and creating supportive systems that reflect the real needs of young people. This means working with schools, communities, and partners to build an environment where mental wellbeing is a shared priority.’
The findings of this study call for immediate and coordinated action across public, private, and civil sectors to ensure that young people in the APAC region receive the mental health support they need to thrive.
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