The Norwegian Association of Youth Mental Health (Mental Helse Ungdom)

Founded in 2005 as part of Mental Health Norway Independent organization since 2011 Approximately 1000 members between 15 and 30 years 21 local chapters (6-8 new chapters per year) The organization is owned and governed by its members Norways only consumer-organization that represents youth within the field of mental health Our goal: That the mental health of every youth is as good as it can get Who we are

Young consumers Young next of kin Other young people with an interest in our cause and our work Who we represent

Peer support –Social arenas created by peers for peers –Activities created and governed by and for participants –Peer advocacy –Peer mentoring Consumer representation Lobbying How we work

Mental ill health accounts for almost 20% of the burden of disease in the WHO European Region Mental health problems affect one in four people at some time in life. Nine of the ten countries with the highest rates of suicide in the world are in the European Region. WHO Why Mental Health Youth?

Peer support is invaluable to our health but can never be provided by professionals Empowerment is essential for a full and healthy life –But you cannot empower youth without an arena where youth have power Empowered and organized consumers result in better services with less abuse Why Mental Health Youth?

Government institutions –As representatives and advisors Services –As representatives, advisors, and partners in various projects Other consumer organizations –As political allies and partners in various projects Who we work with

Competing with our parent organizations for funding Building a stable, active and knowledgeable organization with a retirement age of 30 Political independence with government funding (biting the hand that feeds…) Challenges

Consumer representation and peer support is essential for improving public health Empowering and organizing youth with mental health issues is challenging because you have to work directly against the established attitudes of both the consumers and the service professionals We have made it work –And we think we know how Why collaborate with us?

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