Children’s Mental Health: Rights and Perspectives (GCHumanRights)

Despite these highly concerning developments, availability of adequate support and services for the mental health of children and adolescents is greatly lacking worldwide. With this MOOC we want to show that it does not have to be this way. Children’s right to health is well articulated in legal and policy terms. An understanding of the main challenges faced by children and young people in this context and the knowledge of possible mechanisms that exist to address these concerns may help realise that there are solutions.

One particular area of interest looks into approaches that prioritise and commit to the direct participation of children and young people in decision-making in this area of their lives. As demonstrated by the recent GC International Conference, there is a strong call from children themselves to ensure that answers are given to their doubts and requests, and that measures are taken through meaningful consultation with them to support their coping mechanisms and their proper, healthy and safe psychological development.

Course Outline

The MOOC runs over 5 weeks and is organised in 3 modules:

Module 1 – Children’s mental health

Context: why it is important to talk about children’s mental health

Children’s mental health: a matter of rights

Module 2 - Protecting children’s mental health in times of crisis

Facing risks in a variety of situations

Minimising risks and maximising protection

Module 3 - A rights-based approach to children’s mental health

Children’s rights at the centre of solutions