As cities worldwide attract young people for various opportunities, a recent study unveils traits that could enhance the mental well-being of urban youth. Drawing insights from a global panel comprising adolescents, young adults, and experts, the research delineates priorities for city planners to cultivate safe, equitable, and inclusive urban environments.
To discern city features conducive to youth mental health, researchers conducted initial surveys among a panel of over 400 individuals, encompassing young people and multidisciplinary professionals. Subsequent surveys distilled six prioritized characteristics: opportunities for life skill development; age-friendly environments fostering acceptance of young people’s emotions and values; accessible and secure public spaces facilitating social connections; employment stability; interventions addressing social determinants of health; and youth-centered urban design.
Published online in Nature on February 21, the study was spearheaded by Pamela Collins, MD, MPH, chair of the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. It involved collaboration with citiesRISE, a global nonprofit dedicated to transforming mental health policies, particularly for young people.
Cities have historically beckoned young individuals, with projections by UNICEF indicating that by 2050, cities will host 70% of the world’s children. However, urban environments exert differential influences on health outcomes, with mental disorders ranking as leading causes of disability among 10- to 24-year-olds globally. Urban youth, particularly marginalized groups, bear disproportionate exposure to inequality, violence, and limited green spaces, heightening the risk of poor mental health.
Collins underscores the significance of investing in young people, emphasizing its implications for present well-being, future potential, and intergenerational impact. Data collection commenced amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, with panelists noting its exacerbating effects on urban inequality and resource distribution, amplifying pre-existing vulnerabilities.
The research enlisted a diverse panel from 53 countries, including 327 young people aged 14 to 25, representing various sectors such as education, advocacy, and urban planning. Through sequential surveys, participants identified urban elements conducive to youth mental health, yielding a comprehensive framework spanning intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, organizational, policy, and environmental domains.
These findings offer a roadmap for policymakers and urban planners to enhance young city dwellers’ mental health, advocating for youth-focused mental health services, social connection spaces, employment opportunities, and equitable urban development. Notably, the study underscores the imperative of involving young people in planning interventions directly impacting their mental well-being, urging systemic collaboration across sectors to uphold social and economic equity in urban settings.
