The IAYMH was established in 2012 to assist in advocating & collaborating for the mental health needs of young people across the world. In recent years, many countries around the globe have witnessed the emergence of the youth mental health movement, a new paradigm that acknowledges the importance of targeted services for youth in the critical age group of 12 to 25 years. Recent evidence supports the efficacy of early intervention for individuals in this age band. With the right services & support early on, future health problems & onset of symptoms can be minimised. This shift poses a challenge to the prevalent mental health system, which currently splits the population into two arbitrary groups: children (0-18) & adults (18-65). This model falls short in addressing the emerging health needs of adolescents & young adults. Founded by leading experts & industry professionals in youth mental health, the IAYMH seeks to unite the world’s passion & interest in this new field of work by providing current information & resources on best practice in youth mental health, while advocating for systems change that meets the needs of this age group. Most importantly, the IAYMH aims to be responsive to young people from across the globe, emphasizing the importance of youth self-determination in achieving their own health needs.
