Reflections on the future of child & adolescent mental health

There is a worldwide mental health crisis. The WHO estimates that 1 in 7 children suffers from and is impaired by mental problems and disorders. There are epidemics of neurodevelopmental disorders, eating disorders, substance and behavioural addictions in youth. The suicide figures worldwide are shifting. A decrease of suicides in elder people especially men and increase in suicide in young people especially women. Social media have an enormous impact on youngsters, with obvious benefits but big backlashes too: screen- fear of missing out-addictions and a worry impact of cyber bullying! In this paper the necessity of mental health services adapting in a flexible way to the increasing demand and possibilities are highlighted including peer support by Emphasis is put on the appeal to (mental) healthcare workers to speak up and address the causes. Mental health should be a responsibility of all, especially politicians and decision makers.