A new practical tool released by WHO/Europe aims to help countries strengthen the quality of mental health services for children and young people across the WHO European Region, addressing persistent gaps in access, consistency and accountability.
The “Clinical audit tool to strengthen quality of child and youth mental health services”, provides countries with a structured approach to assessing and improving care, supporting efforts to ensure that children and adolescents with mental health needs receive timely, high quality and people centred support.
Why quality in child and youth mental health still falls short
Mental health is an integral part of overall well being and health, shaping how young people learn, form relationships and participate in their communities. Yet across the European Region, it is estimated that 1 in 7 children and adolescents lives with a mental health condition, and too many continue to struggle without adequate support.
“Behind every number is a young person with hopes, talent and potential,” said João Breda, Head of the WHO Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety. “The future health and prosperity of our societies depend on how well we respond to children’s and adolescents’ mental health needs and to their right to high quality care.”
Strengthening the quality of child and youth mental health services is a priority under the Second European Programme of Work 2026–2030 and the WHO–United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Well being in the WHO European Region. Despite increased attention at policy level, significant gaps remain.
Mental health services remain uneven, too often concentrated in hospitals rather than in the communities where young people live, learn and play. Many countries still lack dedicated policies, resources and expert capacities, as well as robust quality assurance mechanisms to guide improvement.
Strengthening quality through clinical audit
The new tool builds on the WHO Quality Standards for Child and Youth Mental Health Services, developed by the WHO Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety in collaboration with the Mental Health and Well being programme. While the standards define what good care looks like, this tool focuses on how to achieve measurable improvement in practice.
Clinical audit provides a structured method for reviewing current practice against agreed standards, identifying gaps, implementing change and monitoring progress. It supports services in using data and feedback to guide decision making and improve outcomes over time.
By strengthening clinical audit and quality improvement processes, the new tool aims to support countries in turning commitment into concrete action.
“Transforming mental health systems will only work if the quality of care for children and young people is put first. That means leadership and long term investment in mental health, but also working closely with people with lived and living experience who use these services. It also means having systems that measure what really matters for mental health and use that evidence to improve care,” said Ledia Lazeri, Regional Adviser for Mental Health at WHO/Europe.