Youth Mental Health Research Articles

Estimating Mediation Effects in ABAB Reversal Designs

Single-Case Experimental Designs (SCEDs), or N-of-1 trials, are commonly used to estimate intervention effects in many disciplines including in the treatment of youth mental health problems. SCEDs consist of repeated measurements of an outcome over time for a single case (e.g., student or patient) throughout one or more baseline phases and throughout one or more intervention phases. The manipulation of the baseline and intervention phase make the SCED a type of interrupted time series design, which is considered one of the most effective experimental designs for causal inference. An important step towards understanding why interventions are effective at producing a change in the outcome is through the investigation of mediating mechanisms. Hypotheses of mediating mechanisms involve an intervention variable which is hypothesized to affect an outcome through its effect on a mediating variable. Little work has attempted to combine mediation analysis and ABAB reversal designs. Therefore, the goals of this paper are to define, estimate, and interpret mediation effects for ABAB reversal designs. An empirical example is used to demonstrate how to estimate and interpret the mediation effects. R code is provided for researchers interested in estimating mediation effects in single-case reversal designs.

Loneliness trajectories and psychological distress in youth: Longitudinal evidence from a population-based sample.

This pre-registered secondary analysis aimed to examine distinct longitudinal loneliness trajectories in youth and whether these trajectories were associated with psychological distress at final follow-up in the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Participants (N = 827, 55.1% female, Time 1: M ± SD = 16.50 ± 0.50 years) provided data during Waves 9, 10 and 11. K-means longitudinal clustering analysis was used to identify clusters of participants with distinct loneliness trajectories across measurement waves. We identified four clusters demonstrating distinct trajectories of loneliness: stable low (40.7%), stable high (20.6%), moderate decreasing (19.6%) and low increasing (19.1%). Compared to 'stable low loneliness', 'stable high' and 'low increasing' loneliness clusters were significantly associated with psychological distress at Wave 11 following adjustment for sex, ethnicity, parent's highest educational achievement and Wave 9 psychological distress. The current study offers an important contribution to the literature on patterns of youth loneliness and mental health consequences.

Youth MH among key topics in 2025 legislative sessions

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) last week released a new report citing such legislative concerns for the new year as the health workforce and youth mental health, Medicaid, artificial intelligence and prescription drugs. All are key topics NCSL's policy experts anticipate will occupy state lawmakers' time in 2025 legislative sessions.

Digital media in early childhood: risk factors for online harm and psychosocial correlates

IntroductionEarly and middle childhood are times of rapid development, and critical periods for laying the foundations of life-long trajectories of socioemotional well-being. High levels of screen media use are of growing concern to parents, health professionals, and researchers, given the increasing body of research demonstrating detrimental impacts of excessive screen use in young children. One particular consequence is the risk that children encounter online content or experiences that are upsetting or distressing, including exposure to inappropriate or adult content, cyberbullying, and interactions with strangers that they don't know.MethodsThis research examined experiences of online harm reported in a sample of 8-year-old children, with a focus on identifying risk factors and psychosocial correlates of online harm. Data for this study were collected from children and their mothers as part of the prospective longitudinal Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) study (n = 4,920 children with data at age 8). Children were assessed at 4.5-years-old and 8-years-old.ResultsThe findings of this research indicate that approximately a quarter of New Zealand children have experienced online harm (that is, have encountered online content that worried, upset, or bothered them) by the age of 8. Our analysis indicates that children with behavioral difficulties are at greater risk of online harm, as are children with more personal devices. Experiences of online harm were found to be negatively associated with child self-worth and positively associated with depressive symptoms.DiscussionFindings highlighting the critical importance of considering online harm as a contributing factor to child and youth well-being and mental health in our media-saturated world. Our results also point to practical solutions for parents, such as limiting the number of personal media devices that children have in early and middle childhood.

'For Youth by Youth': Distributive Leadership in Action With a Youth Codesign Team.

Integrated youth services are an emerging delivery model in Canada that addresses siloed and fragmented youth mental health and other services. Youth engagement is viable for developing integrated youth services when purposefully built. However, it is not always clear how youth are involved in service transformation as decision-makers, and it requires an exploration of how to work with youth authentically and intentionally in the codesign process. This study reflects on the development of HOMEBASE, a network of integrated youth service delivery in Saskatchewan, Canada, and documents the process of actively and authentically engaging with youth through distributive leadership in the codesign process. Youth are actively and eagerly willing to participate in the codesign process of developing integrated services when there is a shared responsibility, and they are authentically involved and informed within the decision-making process. This requires time to form trust, build relationships and provide youth with low-pressure environments to foster healthy debates. By utilizing a distributive leadership approach, the Youth Codesign Team has been engaged in various levels of decision-making. By following these guiding principles, policymakers, youth development workers and researchers can engage youth in meaningful ways to improve the design and development of integrated care. Five youths from the HOMEBASE Provincial Youth Co-Design Team collaborated in writing this article based on their experiences of being engaged at varying levels of decision-making in a distributive leadership approach to building integrated youth services.

Adolescent Client and Clinician Predictors of Measurement-Based Care Fidelity in Community Mental Health Settings

ABSTRACT Objective Regularly administering outcome measures, measurement-based care (MBC), informs clinical decision-making and improves youth mental health. Understanding predictors of high-fidelity MBC delivery helps ensure all youth can benefit from this evidence-based practice. Research on client and clinician predictors of MBC fidelity has mixed findings. Method Participants included 53 clinicians and 115 adolescents from a randomized controlled effectiveness trial with MBC only and MBC + Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents (UPA) conditions. Clients and clinicians reported demographic information. Clinicians completed broad- and narrow-band attitude measures. MBC fidelity was operationalized using the implementation index, combining rates of administering and viewing questionnaires, using objective MBC data. Results and Discussion The average MBC fidelity was 56.75% (SD = 30.36) and was significantly higher in the MBC only condition (M = 67.46%, SD = 27.63%) than in MBC + UPA condition (M = 46.58%, SD = 29.52%; p = .012). Clients identifying as White received significantly higher MBC fidelity than youth not identifying as White. Youth ethnicity, family income, age, severity, and number of sessions did not significantly predict MBC fidelity. Clinicians with less experience at their agency, less confidence, and who found manualized treatments less appealing, had significantly higher MBC fidelity than other clinicians. These results can inform future efforts to increase fidelity and equity in MBC delivery.

The Longitudinal Implementation of a Mental Health Literacy Resource Among Grade 8 and 9 Students in a Catholic School Setting

ABSTRACT Background Mental disorders most likely manifest during adolescence, providing opportunities for schools and professionals to implement standardized mental health literacy (MHL) interventions to support improvement of mental health outcomes. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an MHL intervention (the Guide) on knowledge, stigma, help-seeking and overall mental health among grade 8–9 students. Methods We developed a longitudinal cohort study to evaluate the Guide among 523 students, delivered across subsequent grade levels within a Catholic school board in Canada. We utilized validated measures to assess mental health knowledge, stigma, help seeking attitudes, and mental health across four time-points: baseline, end of grade 8, beginning of grade 9, and end of grade 9. Teachers undertook training to learn how to administer the intervention, utilize included teaching aids, and collect data. Results Students demonstrated improvements on knowledge and stigma at all measurement intervals, however statistically significant differences in help-seeking and well-being outcomes were not observed. Discussion This study suggests the plausibility of longer-term delivery of the Guide and similar resources in enhancing knowledge and reducing stigma among similar youth cohorts. Translation to Health Education Practice Certified Health Education Specialists may adapt the Guide to accommodate youth mental health needs in different contexts.

Healing through tradition: the role of Indigenous Elder support in child and youth mental health in Canada

The current mental health care system in Canada, with its focus on western biomedical and individualistic approaches, does not support Indigenous holistic views of wellness and silences Indigenous knowledges through colonial ideologies. This research identifies the vital support that mental health services must include to create culturally relevant and safe services: Elders. Elders provide holistic approaches to mental wellness that consider cultural, individual, family, and community needs to promote healing. To explore the roles of Elders in mental health services, a comprehensive narrative review was conducted. All 22 included studies were conducted by Indigenous scholars or with Indigenous communities. Findings were organized into three themes: (a) Elders are knowledge keepers: sharing wisdom; (b) need for cultural-based teachings, ceremonies, and land-based healing led by Elders; and (c) Importance of relationships for increasing youth’s mental wellness. Barriers were identified that prevent Elder involvement, and recommendations for mental health programmes are provided.

Youth Mental Health: The Role of Culture & KTE Approaches in Expanding the Research Workforce

ABSTRACTDespite efforts to expand the youth mental health workforce, disparities continue to persist in service provision, the effectiveness of existing programs and practices, and in research. While there is no quick fix to rectify these issues, expanding the research workforce can serve as a preliminary step in reducing many of the disparities that exist. The current work highlights the necessity for increased efforts to recruit a population of experts (i.e., practitioners) into the research workforce that possesses a level of knowledge and expertise largely untapped by research producers. Furthermore, knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) methodologies are offered as innovative approaches that can be harnessed to facilitate this change. To provide rationale for expanding not only the research workforce but reimagining historical notions of what research is, and who qualifies as belonging in this space, with examples of action steps that can be utilized by producers to attract practitioners. The use of KTE and related approaches to attract practitioners to research has positive implications including but not limited to expanding the youth mental health workforce.

The Development of a Brief but Comprehensive Therapeutic Assessment Protocol for the Screening and Support of Youth in the Community to Address the Youth Mental Health Crisis

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the acceptability and feasibility of a therapeutic assessment protocol for the Screening and Support of Youth (SASY). SASY provides brief but comprehensive community-based screening and support for diverse youth in the community. Methods: SASY screening evaluates symptoms, functioning and clinical risk. The Kiddie Computerized Adaptive Test was used to evaluate seven different diagnoses and symptom severity. The Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Self was used to measure functional impairment. Measures were scored according to nationally developed norms. An algorithm was developed to aggregate symptom and function ratings into an overall score for clinical risk. The results are discussed with participants in a motivational interview designed to promote insight, followed by the opportunity for the participant to engage in an online intervention. Protocol changes necessitated by social distancing during the pandemic led to innovative methods including the use of a QR code for recruitment, integration of both online and offline participation, and expansion from in-person recruitment within the schools to virtual engagement with youth throughout the community. The final sample included disproportionately more Black or African American and Hispanic youth as compared to school and community statistics, suggesting that optimization of online and offline methods in research may facilitate the recruitment of diverse populations. Qualitative interviews indicated that the screening and feedback raised youth awareness of their wellbeing and/or distress, its impact on their functioning, and engagement with options for improved wellbeing. Conclusions: The emergence of innovative methods optimizing the advantages of both online and offline methods, developed as a necessity during the pandemic, proved advantageous to the feasibility and acceptability of community-based recruitment of at-risk, minoritized youth.

The Effects of Cognitive Self-Consciousness, Cultural Values, and Socioeconomic Context on Anxiety in Youth: A Meta-Analysis

Youth mental health is a global health priority due to its increasing prevalence and adverse outcomes. Although the relationship between metacognitions and anxiety is well-documented in adults, further research is needed for the younger populations. This research examines two questions: (a) What is the correlation between cognitive self-consciousness and anxiety in children and adolescents? (b) Is this correlation moderated by cultural and socioeconomic differences? Based on 22 effect sizes from 8,459 participants in 11 countries, a meta-analysis was performed to find the overall effect size, heterogeneity, publication bias, and the moderating effect of Hofstede’s four cultural dimensions and United Nation Development Programme’s (UNDP) Human Development Index (HDI). Using the random-effects model, the results revealed that cognitive self-consciousness ( r = .312, p < .0001, 95% confidence interval: [.257, .365]) showing moderate effect size in association with anxiety in children and adolescents. Meta-regressions indicated that power distance, masculinity, and HDI were important moderators. The findings show a significant correlation between cognitive self-consciousness and mental wellness in youth. The results have important implications for understanding the influence of cultural beliefs and national-level context on the associations between cognition and psychopathology. This article provides consistent evidence that there is a lack of mental health research resources in the Global South.

Deliberate Absence: Mapping the Presence of Indian Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Youth in Social and Medical Rights-Based Work Initiatives for the Community

Background: Adolescence, the transitional phase between childhood and adulthood, involves significant biological, social, cognitive and emotional changes. In India, adolescents (10–18 years) form 21% of the population, increasing to 33% when including those aged 10–24 years, making India home to the world’s largest adolescent population. The concept of adolescence, unlike the biological process of puberty, is culturally determined and influenced by globalisation and changing societal values. Objectives: This article aims to (a) elucidate the barriers hindering transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth in India from accessing gender affirmation, including familial rejection, constraining legal provisions and inadequate public health infrastructure; (b) underscore the impact of socio-cultural and political attitudes on health disparities faced by TGD youth, emphasising the need for comprehensive and individualised healthcare and socio-cultural support; (c) advocate for a socio-medical approach to address the unique challenges of Indian TGD youth, focusing on collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals, social institutions and policymakers; (d) propose strategies for improving access to early gender-affirmative care, including training healthcare providers, promoting comprehensive medical support and advocating for the rights of TGD youth. Methods: A blind review of literature was conducted using PUBMED/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Web of Science, PsycINFO and SCOPUS with keywords such as ‘transgender youth’, ‘nonbinary and gender diverse youth’, ‘gender-affirming medical care in India’ and ‘youth mental health’. The search eventually included peer-reviewed publications, books, reviews, editorials, opinion pieces, feature stories and individual case reports. Articles were screened and thematically analysed to synthesise findings. Results: The review highlights significant barriers to gender-affirming care for TGD youth in India, including familial rejection, restrictive legal frameworks and inadequate public health infrastructure. Socio-cultural and political attitudes contribute to health disparities, necessitating comprehensive healthcare and socio-cultural support. Conclusions: Addressing the challenges faced by TGD youth in India requires a socio-medical approach, emphasising collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, social institutions and policymakers. Strategies for improvement include training healthcare providers, promoting comprehensive medical support and advocating for the rights of TGD youth to ensure early and effective gender-affirmative care.

Collaborative and side-by-side artmaking: reducing social isolation in refugee youth group art therapy

ABSTRACT Background Research on social isolation in refugee youth is important because it affects their sense of belonging, mental health and wellbeing; integration and acculturation into a new country; education; and future employment opportunities. There is limited art therapy research in Australia in this area, leaving a compelling gap in understanding the effectiveness of collaborative and side-by-side artmaking in group art therapy to connect refugee youth with their peers. Aims This study aimed to explore whether collaborative and side-by-side artmaking in group art therapy would connect youth more effectively; alleviate their social isolation from trauma, displacement and re-settlement experiences; provide a safe environment and platform to express themselves; and improve their mental health and wellbeing. Methods The triangular mixed-methods approach used standardised scales and semi-structured interviews to gather information from youth, teachers and art therapists. Mixed-method data analysis was applied using the Reliable Change Index, line graphs, descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis. Results Refugee youths’ self-esteem and confidence seemed to increase through collaborative and side-by-side artmaking. Results highlighted the importance of social connection, self-esteem, confidence and a sense of safety for making positive connections during artmaking. Conclusions Findings indicate potential benefits of pportunities for refugee youth to connect with their peers in the school environment and of group art therapy. Implications for practice and future research Opportunities could be achieved through collaborative and side-by-side artmaking in group art therapy. A larger study, longer programme and mixed populations in the school setting are recommended for future research. Plain-language summary The research aimed to examine if there was an effect of a six-week art therapy programme on social isolation for five 14–15-year-old female refugee youth. This research is important because social isolation affects youth’s mental health and wellbeing. Through creating art individually and next to each other (side-by-side artmaking), and creating artworks together (collaborative artmaking), the programme aimed to reduce social isolation and increase connections between youth during the sessions and in the school environment. The research was conducted in an early intervention creative therapies service onsite at a Queensland English-language transition secondary school. The service is provided by accredited art therapists and uses creative methods to support culturally diverse refugee youth in resettling, learning and recovering from trauma and stress. During the research, youth participants engaged in art activities, such as drawing and painting, while listening to music. Interventions were designed to establish group bonds, build self-esteem and resilience, and empower youth in a safe and supportive environment. Art therapists and teachers observed youth during the research period, completed standardised scales before and after the programme and participated in semi-structured interviews. The youth participants also completed standardised scales and were interviewed before and after the programme. The results showed that after the six-week programme, youths’ wellbeing and connections to each other increased. Three central themes were identified: (1) social connection is important within the school environment; (2) self-esteem and confidence are related to connecting to others and social isolation; and (3) there is a sense of safety in artmaking individually and collaboratively with peers. The study found that the art therapy programme positively affected youth mental health and wellbeing. This suggests the programme effectively reduced participants’ social isolation, potentially offering positive opportunities to connect other youth at risk of social isolation.

Social Media Linked to Early Adolescent Suicidal Thoughts via Cyberbullying and Internalizing Symptoms

AbstractEarly adolescents are increasingly engaged in visually rich social media platforms, which may lead to the involvement in visual cybervictimization, i.e., the unsolicited sharing of personal visuals, resulting in negative mental-health outcomes. The present study examined the association between social media use and suicidal ideation among early adolescents, with a focus on the mediating roles of visual cybervictimization and internalizing symptoms. The sample consisted of 1140 middle-school students from Northwestern Italy with a mean age of 12.35 years (SD = 0.97), 53.3% female, 45.1% male, and1.6% non-binary. We explored a serial mediation model, hypothesizing that increased social media engagement might lead to heightened suicidal ideation through elevated experiences of visual cybervictimization and subsequent rise in internalizing symptoms. Results indicated significant associations exist between increased social media use and both direct involvement in and bystander experiences of visual cybervictimization. Participating in visual cyberbullying events, both as victim and bystander, was significantly associated with higher levels of internalizing symptoms, in turn linked to greater suicidal ideation. These findings emphasize the critical need for digital literacy and interventions targeting visual aspects of cyberbullying to mitigate its detrimental effects on youth mental health.

Youth mental health in Tunisia: challenges and resources

Youth mental health in Tunisia: challenges and resources

Centering equity, diversity, and inclusion in youth digital mental health: findings from a research, policy, and practice knowledge exchange workshop.

Youth mental health service organizations continue to rapidly broaden their use of virtual care and digital mental health interventions as well as leverage artificial intelligence and other technologies to inform care decisions. However, many of these digital services have failed to alleviate persistent mental health disparities among equity-seeking populations and in some instances have exacerbated them. Transdisciplinary and intersectional knowledge exchange is greatly needed to address structural barriers to digital mental health engagement, develop and evaluate interventions with historically underserved communities, and ultimately promote more accessible, useful, and equitable care. To that end, the Digital, Inclusive, Virtual, and Equitable Research Training in Mental Health Platform (DIVERT), the Maritime Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT (Support for People and Patient-Oriented Research and Trials) Unit and IWK Mental Health Program invited researchers, policymakers, interprofessional mental health practitioners, trainees, computer scientists, health system administrators, community leaders and youth advocates to participate in a knowledge exchange workshop. The workshop aimed to (a) highlight local research and innovation in youth-focused digital mental health services; (b) learn more about current policy and practice issues in inclusive digital mental health for youth in Canada, (c) participate in generating action recommendations to address challenges to inclusive, diverse and equitable digital mental health services, and (d) to synthesize cross-sector feedback to inform future training curriculum, policy, strategic planning and to stimulate new lines of patient-oriented research. Eleven challenge themes emerged related to white-colonial normativity, lack of cultural humility, inaccessibility and affordability of participating in the digital world, lack of youth and community involvement, risks of too much digital time in youth's lives, and lack of scientific evidence derived from equity-deserving communities. Nine action recommendations focused on diversifying research and development funding, policy and standards, youth and community led promotion, long-term trust-building and collaboration, and needing to callout and advocate against unsafe digital services and processes. Key policy, training and practice implications are discussed.

The role of the United States in shaping youth mental health advocacy and suicide prevention through foreign policy and media in conflict zones

This article explores the significant role of the United States in shaping youth mental health advocacy and suicide prevention through its foreign policy and media initiatives in conflict zones such as Iraq, Syria, and the Israeli-Gaza War. The U.S. has actively contributed to improving mental health outcomes by supporting humanitarian programs, facilitating mental health services for displaced youth, and funding initiatives aimed at addressing trauma caused by war. The paper highlights how U.S. foreign policy, through diplomatic efforts and peace-building interventions, has promoted human rights and stability in these regions, providing essential aid to vulnerable populations. In addition, the United States remains a global leader in promoting peace and safety, advocating for the protection of civilians, and upholding international standards of human rights. By working with international organizations, the U.S. has played a key role in ensuring that mental health and suicide prevention programs are integrated into post-conflict recovery efforts, creating safer environments for youth affected by war. Media coverage of U.S. efforts has also helped raise global awareness of the mental health challenges faced by young people in these conflict zones, further amplifying the need for continued advocacy and international support. This paper aims to demonstrate the United States' commitment to fostering global peace and ensuring that young populations have the resources they need to recover from the impacts of conflict, thereby strengthening mental health advocacy on a global scale.

‘Everywhere you get models of what you should be like’: ideals of masculinity and therapeutic culture constraining young men’s mental health and gendered subjectivities

ABSTRACT This paper presents a novel approach to youth mental health by examining the connections between young Finnish men’s mental health, ideals of masculinity, and public discourses of mental health. Drawing from critical sociological and feminist theories on gender, power, and therapeutic culture, we apply a thematic discursive analysis to a questionnaire data (n = 910) about men’s mental health targeted at young men (primarily aged 15-29). The findings illustrate how young Finnish men consider ‘traditional’ ideals of masculinity widespread in Finland, restricting the actions of men, and upheld by narrow representations of gender. In addition, young men display critical reactions to the public discourses of mental health, especially the ones they feel are repeated in the media. These discourses are seen as insufficient and too individualised, echoing therapeutic culture. Based on our results, we argue that the highly individualised and gendered discourses of mental health, deriving from therapeutic culture and rooted in Finnish cultural and institutional practices, are inadequate for supporting young men’s mental health. Instead, these practices can create a vicious cycle where the often-well-intended efforts can limit and guide young men towards restricted gendered possibilities to express themselves, talk about mental health, and seek support if needed.

The Impact of Posting and Viewing Selfies on Social Media on Self-Identity: A Case Study of xiaohongshu

The emergence of new social media platforms has significantly influenced adolescent mental health through their engagement in selfie-related behaviours. This paper uses xiaohongshu as a research platform to explore the impact of users’ selfie-related behaviour on their body satisfaction and self-identity on social media. This study employed a questionnaire-based survey to examine 60 xiaohongshu users, aged 19-59, utilizing the selfie-posting frequency scale, self-viewing scale, verbal commentary on physical appearance Scale, body Image states scale, and body surveillance subscale. The results show that selfie editing and posting, selfie viewing, and positive appearance-related commentary positively affect body satisfaction, while negative appearance-related commentary negatively affect body satisfaction. There is no statistically significant association identified between body satisfaction and self-objectification. Adolescents’ psychological issues are influenced, in part, by their selfie-related activities within social networking environments. However, a mindful and rational engagement with these platforms can foster self-identity and contribute to the positive development of youth mental health.

Strengthening youth mental health capacities in Albania: Training primary healthcare professionals

Abstract Background Addressing mental health issues among children and adolescents globally is crucial, necessitating interventions at the primary healthcare (PHC) level. The training programme in Albania equipped PHC professionals with skills for early identification, support, and referral for youth mental health issues. Given the global prevalence of such challenges, our intervention serves as a valuable model for enhancing mental health services in communities. Objectives The training aimed to develop the capacities of Albanian PHC professionals in improving mental health and psychosocial wellbeing among youth. Through innovative training sessions using participatory action methods, it was sought to answer key questions: How can Albanian PHC professionals better identify and support youth mental health issues? What innovative approaches can enhance mental health training for Albanian healthcare personnel? How can community engagement be strengthened to support youth mental health initiatives in Albania? Results Following the programme, 525 healthcare professionals in Albania received training, showing improved knowledge and skills in youth mental health support. They emphasized the importance of community engagement, standardized documentation, and specialized mental health services. Preliminary results indicate increased awareness and readiness among Albanian PHC professionals to address youth mental health needs. Conclusions The programme underscores the significance of equipping Albanian PHC professionals with comprehensive skills to tackle youth mental health challenges. Lessons learned have broader implications for strengthening mental health services globally, emphasizing collaboration, standardized protocols, and targeted interventions. Key messages • Strengthening PHC capacity in Albania improves early identification and support for youth mental health, enhancing overall wellbeing. • Tailored training and community engagement are vital for effective mental health interventions at the grassroots level in Albania.