It’s a typical Monday and 15-year-old Mia starts her week with a specific goal. Her school fosters a supportive environment in which teachers recognize emotional challenges, encourage open conversations, engage students in activities that build social and emotional skills, and partner with parents to manage risks and protect students’ mental health . After school, Mia connects with her peers through sports and community activities, which cultivate her sense of belonging and meaning. Despite the challenges faced, Mia’s family is taking steps to protect her mental health by seeking community resources, reflecting a growing understanding that mental well-being is a prioritized shared responsibility by government, businesses, communities and individuals . communities and organizations around the world.

Mia embodies the reality that the Z Zurich Foundation and our partners are committed to creating, ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive.

However, this vision of a mentally healthy future remains distant. As a father and grandfather, I am keenly aware that this vision of a mentally healthy future is within our reach, but requires our active commitment and action. Globally, one in seven adolescents aged 10 to 19 experience a diagnosable mental health problem,⁽¹⁾ half of all mental health problems appear before the age of 14.⁽²⁾ Yet most countries spend only 2% of their health budgets on mental health support.⁽³⁾

At the Z Zurich Foundation, we are convinced that prevention is the best form of protection. The economic case for investing in mental health is compelling. Research shows that for every dollar invested in school-based social and emotional learning (SEL), up to $225 in benefits are generated.⁽⁴⁾

But the importance of youth mental health transcends economics. Mental well-being underpins most of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, providing the foundation for young people to thrive in all aspects of life. This creates a positive ripple effect for young people, producing long-term benefits for communities and future generations.

The power of prevention and promotion cannot be overstated. As business leaders, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to shape that future. By partnering with organizations like UNICEF, we can leverage our resources and influence to create meaningful change. Our involvement can accelerate the implementation of comprehensive mental wellness programs in schools, workplaces and communities.

Prospering together for a better future

The insurance industry has long championed prevention as the ultimate protective measure, recognizing its profound human, societal and economic benefits. At the Z Zurich Foundation, we have integrated this principle into our youth mental well-being strategy. Our goal? Address problems at the root, early on, before they escalate. We are pleased to be the third largest global philanthropic funder of mental health and wellbeing initiatives in 2023. But there is still much to do.

As the world began to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis in late 2020, we made a crucial decision. We are committed to making the mental wellbeing of young people a global priority, targeting the systems that shape their growth and development.

To achieve this vision, we have chosen UNICEF as our strategic partner. With more than a decade of experience in mental health, UNICEF integrates wellness into diverse programs, from child protection to nutrition. Our shared commitment to youth mental health, coupled with our alignment on systemic transformation and the reimagined role of caregivers, has laid the foundation for a powerful partnership. UNICEF’s reach in the public sector complements our collaborations with the private sector, strengthening our transformative approach.

In September 2021, we launched the Thriving Together partnership with UNICEF. This collaboration offers innovative, field-tested tools for in-person and digital interventions. To date, these resources have equipped more than 900,000 teens and caregivers with crucial emotional regulation, stress management, and problem-solving skills.

Simultaneously, we partnered with UNICEF on the global #OnMyMind campaign, which expanded the reach of these tools. Leveraging celebrities, influencers and global ambassadors, the campaign aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health.

In response to growing demand for innovative approaches, we supported the launch of the UNICEF-led Global Coalition for Youth Mental Health in April 2022. This coalition brings together seven leading private sector companies, including Zurich Insurance Company, and others are expected to join in the future. years. Collectively, the Coalition has already invested more than $35 million in UNICEF’s child and youth mental health programs.

Harnessing business acumen for the well-being of young people

Partnerships with the private sector are essential to addressing the global youth mental health crisis. It’s not just about financial support; it’s about sharing knowledge and networks to drive meaningful change. Corporate commitments to the mental wellbeing of young people can enhance existing school, sports and community initiatives. Companies can contribute technical expertise to prevention and promotion efforts and foster positive work environments that promote mental well-being.

As we enter the second phase of our partnership with UNICEF, we are raising the bar. We are expanding the global reach of the partnership from 7 to 15 countries, more than double our initial goal, supporting at least 11 million people by 2027. We will evolve existing tools while developing strategies to engage more wide range of stakeholders. In the spirit of global collaboration, we will make these resources widely available and accessible to organizations promoting the mental well-being of adolescents and caregivers.

At the same time, the Z Zurich Foundation will continue to promote mental well-being at work, for example through Connecting Generations. The initiative targets carers within organisations, helping them to engage and support the young people in their lives.

Making Mia’s story a reality for every young person will take a collective effort. This will not happen overnight and will require courage and determination. We are all critical actors in this change, and I look forward to embarking on this transformative journey with like-minded organizations and individuals.

I call on my fellow CEOs and board members to join in this critical mission. Let’s invest in the mental wellbeing of our young people – not just for the economic benefits, but also for the brighter, more resilient future it promises. Together, we can build a world where every young person has the support they need to thrive. This goes beyond simple corporate social responsibility; it is about ensuring the foundations of our common future. Now is the time to act.

Gregory joined Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) in 2005 and since 2020 has contributed to Zurich’s aspiration to become one of the most influential and responsible companies in the world. As head of the Z Zurich Foundation, Gregory leads the development of the Zurich corporate foundation with a team of 23 passionate and talented experts. Together, and in close collaboration with charities and Zurich residents around the world, they help people in need and strive to create a better future for more than five million vulnerable people every year.