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Five essential pillars for promoting and protecting mental health in schools and learning environments: a briefing note for national governments  Mental health and psychosocial well-being are fundamental to health and well-being, and influence academic, social, and economic outcomes across the lifespan. This short briefing note is intended for policy makers, national governments, mental health and education coalitions and advocates. It outlines key policy recommendations to strengthen education systems to protect and promote the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children and adolescents, including support for their teachers and caregivers.

No Lost Generation is releasing its annual report, covering progress and activities from August 2021 to August 2022, notably its regional MHPSS conference, its report on inclusive education for refugees and host communities in Jordan and its event together with Malcom H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center and many other activities. The report also includes evidence on the impact of No Lost Generation online and a funding gaps analysis of the Syrian Humanitarian Response Plan and the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan.

Adolescence (age 10-19) is a time of exceptionally rapid growth marked not only by physical transformation into an adult body, but also by equally rapid brain development. In addition to physical and cognitive changes, social changes occur that stem from greater exposure to people, social contexts and ideas. Given these concurrent development changes, it is not surprising that adolescence is a particularly sensitive period for the emergence of mental health conditions. Indeed, it is estimated that more than 13 per cent of adolescents globally live with a mental disorder, and many more experience significant psychosocial distress that does not rise to the level of a diagnosable disorder. The most widespread of these mental health conditions include symptoms of anxiety and depression, with rates increasing dramatically throughout adolescence, particularly among girls. Other prevalent challenges include drug and alcohol abuse, conduct disorders, eating disorders and suicidal behaviours. Taken together, approximately 74 per cent of lifetime mental health conditions manifest by age 24. To better understand mental health issues and concerns from the voices of adolescents, 71 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted by 14 partner organizations in 13 countries: Belgium (francophone and Flemish), Chile, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States of America. The countries were selected to ensure geographic, economic and cultural diversity. This report summarizes the results of these FGDs with qualitative research coordinated, analysed and drafted by the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Global Early Adolescent Study (GEAS) in collaboration with global partners and as part of UNICEF’s flagship report, The State of the World’s Children 2021: On My Mind – Promoting, protecting and caring for children’s mental health.  

On 28 April 2022, No Lost Generation (NLG) members consulted with a group of Syrian and Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS) adolescents and youths in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Syria to discuss their concerns, suggested solutions and hopes for the future ahead of the Brussels VI conference of 9-10 May 2022. The group included 6 young women between the ages of 16 and 24, most of whom were still studying at school or university, and residing in Lebanon’s host community, as well as Zaatari, Azraq and Baqa’a camps in Jordan. Two young men with disabilities aged 16 and 17 years old from Azraq camp also took part in the discussion. And lastly, a youth officer from a local Syrian NGO based in Turkey was conveying key messages from young women and girls in Northwest Syria. The discussion revolved around five key discussion themes: 1. Daily challenges faced by children, youth and their families 2. Impact of the humanitarian response and other suggested solutions 3. Hopes and dreams for the future 4. Key messages for stakeholders meeting at the Brussels conference 5. And lastly, some messages of hope for the young generations impacted by the recent conflict in Ukraine As major stakeholders in the Syrian crisis response meet in Brussels this week, it is crucial that the voices of Syrian youth continue to be heard andtaken into consideration. Now is not the time to let them down!

Ahead of the Brussels VI Conference - Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region, No Lost Generation is releasing an advocacy brief highlighting that the needs of Syrian children have never been more urgent, despite the decreasing international attention on Syria. 2022 has seen the highest number of girls and boys in need ever recorded. Syria continues to be a unsafe place for a child to live. Grave violations against children in conflict have continued, including the killing and maiming of children and attacks on schools. The ripple effects of 11 years of war, destruction and the dramatic economic downturn have increased psychological distress of children and their families. In camps, children are struggling to survive, with many separated from their families. Moreover, 2.4 million children continues to be out of school in Syria. In Lebanon, the economic crisis is having a devastating impact on key public health and education services. With the increase in food prices, food security has become a major concern. This is also creating a mental health toll for children and their families, with more youth presenting signs of psychiatric disorder. The worsening economic situation has pushed three in ten youths to stop their education. Facing this unprecedented challenges, No Lost Generation recommends that all stakeholders involved in the Syria crisis response: 1. Work together with all stakeholders to bring an end to the conflict. 2. Protect children at all costs. 3. Preserve humanitarian assistance channels serving those in need. 4. Strengthen gender responsive humanitarian assistance and engage women's and youth organizations. 5. Invest in long term, reliable and flexible funding to protect and scale up durable solutions - including early recovery and resilience-focused initiatives, for Syrian children, in Syria and in host countries. 6. Empower communities and expand social protection schemes, to ensure that children and their families can cope with the multiple challenges they face. Syrian children are hanging in there, but they cannot do it alone. They still need our support.

This document is produced on behalf of the Strategic Steering Group (SSG) and humanitarian partners working in Syria. It provides a shared understanding of the impact which the humanitarian crisis in Syria has on the civilian population, including their most pressing humanitarian needs and the estimated number of people who need humanitarian assistance. The Syria 2022 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) aims to provide consolidated humanitarian analysis to inform coordinated, strategic humanitarian response planning for 2022. The 2022 HNO covers the period from January 2021 through February 2022. Severity analysis and people in need estimations specifically are based on primary data collected mainly during August and November 2021. Figures and findings reflected in this document are based on independent analysis of the United Nations (UN) and its humanitarian partners, built on information available to them. Many of the figures provided in this document are best possible estimates, based on sometimes incomplete and partial data sets, using the methodologies for data collection and triangulation of information which were available at the time. The designations employed and the presentation of material in the report do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

The No Lost Generation’s (NLG)’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Taskforce consisting of members from several organizations was set up to contribute to an improved MHPSS response in 6 countries including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, and Egypt. In the summer of 2021, the taskforce commissioned a survey to examine the status of MHPSS programming in the region, identify gaps in the sector, and offer strategy and policy recommendations based on the surveyed MHPSS providers’ first-hand experience. Additionally, the taskforce wanted to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the ability of these organizations to carry out their MHPSS programs while drawing on lessons learned from the ongoing pandemic.

From 28 September to 5 October 2021, World Vision’s Syria Response (WVSR) team interviewed 16 Mental Health and Psycho-social Support (MHPSS) staff, including WV staff and colleagues from 6 Syrian-led Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working in the northwest of Syria. They painted a bleak picture, voicing concern about intensifying mental health needs – particularly among women, girls and boys – while funding gaps and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have only added to the challenges of their daily response.

Evidence-based parenting programmes and interventions are a scalable and cost-effective way to support parents and caregivers and prevent abuse, neglect and adversity in childhood. They contribute to good mental health and well-being for children and their caregivers, and reduce risk-taking behaviours throughout the life course. Once initial start-up costs have been covered, the cost of delivering parenting interventions per family is roughly comparable to the cost of a routine childhood vaccination programme. Parenting is a wide and multi-faceted policy issue upon which many aspects of the social, emotional and physical development of children are dependent. This note by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, UNICEF and the World Health Organization describes how a minimum package of well-evidenced parenting support can significantly prevent abuse and neglect of children. Furthermore, it recommends a universal approach or primary prevention through a basic package of interventions to every parent or caregiver.

The situation of women and girls in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Arab States regions remains unresolved. Incremental progress has been documented, yet the pace is slow and does not reflect the commitments made to the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, nor to address the challenges of the region. Making use of close to 1000 regional and country-level resources, this report is a collaborative initiative led by UNICEF in partnership with ESCWA, FAO, UN Women, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, WFP, WHO, Plan International, and Terre des Hommes. It consolidates existing pieces of research and analysis to present a comprehensive picture of the life journey of girls and women in region. Using a life cycle approach, the report portraits the status of women and girls in the region through the pillars of 1. Health and Well-being; 2. Learning and Livelihoods; 3. Freedom from Violence and Access to Justice; 4. Participation and Leadership.

A decade of conflict in Syria has led to a sharp decline in girls' rights. This research - carried out in Northwest Syria by Plan International with Women Now for Development - examines the "invisible" toll that years of war, exacerbated by gender inequality, has taken on girls and young women. Syria remains one of the world’s most complex humanitarian emergencies where 6.7m people are internally displaced, 90% of the population is now estimated to live below the poverty line and 13.4m people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Adolescence, defined by the United Nations as covering the age range 10-19 years, is a formative life period during which the foundations and roots for cognition and behavior are further developed and carried far into the future. For many girls in crisis and fragile settings, the onset of puberty marks a time of heightened vulnerability, discrimination and inequality as many are denied education, experience restricted mobility and forced into child marriage. Many girls also have to take on greater responsibilities in the household yet they have little control over economic resources and limited knowledge and ability to participate in decisions affecting their lives. Adolescents in Syria also have grown up navigating the majority of their lives in this conflict and are likely to have experienced significant violence, and lost family and friends to armed conflict or displacement.  Adolescent girls are often invisible during humanitarian emergencies, rarely consulted and their needs are often overlooked. In Syria, adolescents lack meaningful opportunities within their communities and have been missing out on civic and social engagement opportunities. Failing to address the specific needs and capacities of adolescent girls has major and long-term implications for them and for wider society.

On November 30, Lost Generation’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Taskforce organized a regional virtual event on:, How do we strengthen the mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable people in the MENA region?, The panel discussion included MHPSS specialists and practitioners, government representatives and members of the humanitarian community who discussed gaps in the MHPSS strategy and response and system strengthening. After introductory remarks by No Lost Generation co-chairs José Bergua and Alexandra Matei, World Vision and War Child Holland…