Diplomatic World 67

EU Launch 2022 © EU/Aurore Martignoni
EU Launch 2022 © EU/Aurore Martignoni
and a happy childhood”, the Queen stated at the presentation of
tocol to a strict minimum. She wants to maximize the available
As SDG advocate, The Queen is particularly involved and
Kyriakides and young people from Belgium, Spain and Ireland,
the EU brief in Brussels.
time to talk and listen to children and community leaders.
focused on the issue of mental health.
Queen Mathilde launched this report during an event in the
Potentially “difficult topics” are not avoided, on the contrary,
EU Berlaymont building that reached more than 200,000 people
Her majesty joined UNICEF’s plea to invest in quality childcare,
Her Majesty will use her diplomatic skills to put them on the
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the vulnerability of children
via a livestream.
parenting, and family-friendly measures across all sectors.
agenda. The Queen wants to be a voice for children. And chil-
in many ways. A growing number of children and young people
She highlighted the importance of facilitating vulnerable groups’
dren have no taboos.
around the world are struggling with mental health problems.
The report stated that 19 percent of European boys aged 15 to
access to mental healthcare services, the use of the opportu-
19 suffer from mental health disorders, followed by more than
nities offered by digital and online technologies to reduce gaps
This attitude is not solely based on theoretical insights, on the
This topic was discussed extensively in the past year, both dur-
16 percent of girls the same age. Nine million adolescents in
in access to mental health support, the need for programs at
contrary. During many of the Queen’s interactions with children
ing virtual interactions between the Queen and UNICEF field staff
Europe (aged 10 to 19) are living with mental health disorders,
school to build awareness and emotional coping skills for ado-
and young people one notices that Her Majesty is a mother. She
and during the Queen’s interventions at international conferences.
with anxiety and depression accounting for more than half of all
lescents; integrate mental health counselling services; training
communicates and interacts at the level of the children, listens
cases. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in Europe
for teachers and staff and creating safe spaces for children to
to them, and wants to megaphone their voices to the outside
The Queen also personally met the young people and children
among young people. Only road injuries take more lives of
discuss and share.
world, to the political decision makers and society at large. And
involved.
people aged between 15 and 19 years old.
because of this authentic attitude, people listen, and doors open.
The Queen wants to help young people adapt and thrive in a
UNICEF could not dream of a better advocate.
In October 2021, the Queen participated in the presentation of
The Queen of the Belgians took a firm stand on the need to
rapidly changing and ever-demanding world. Through her training
the European analysis of UNICEF’s flagship publication “The
protect our children and young people against the impact of the
and work experience as a psychologist, the Queen knows very
Philippe Henon
State of the World’s Children Report”.
mental health crisis: “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted
well how important it is to listen to children and young people
External Relations Manager UNICEF Belgium
some factors that put our mental health at risk: isolation, family
and to act accordingly.
Twitter: @philippehenon
This analysis contains disturbing data on the mental stress
tensions, loss of income, … Too often children and young people
affecting young people, together with clear recommendations
carry the brunt of this. We must invest time, effort, and com-
Over the past 13 years Her Majesty joined UNICEF Belgium in
for governments across Europe and for the institutions of
mitment into strengthening and improving our health and social
numerous advocacy activities and 10 field visits. During these
the European Union. Together with EU Commissioner Stella
systems to provide every child access to a mental well-being
visits the Queen insists on limiting the official meetings and pro-
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