WHO/Europe has released a new practical tool designed to strengthen the quality of mental health services for children and young people across the European Region. The Clinical audit tool to strengthen quality of child and youth mental health services provides countries with a structured approach to assessing and improving care, ensuring that young people receive timely, high‑quality, and people‑centred support.
Mental health is a critical part of overall well‑being, yet one in seven children and adolescents in the region lives with a mental health condition, and many lack adequate support. Services remain uneven, often concentrated in hospitals rather than in communities, with gaps in policies, resources, expertise, and quality assurance mechanisms. João Breda, Head of the WHO Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety, emphasized that responding effectively to these needs is essential for the future health and prosperity of societies.
The new tool builds on WHO’s Quality Standards for Child and Youth Mental Health Services, shifting the focus from defining good care to achieving measurable improvements in practice. Clinical audit provides a structured method for reviewing current practice against standards, identifying gaps, implementing changes, and monitoring progress. By embedding data and feedback into decision‑making, the tool supports continuous improvement in outcomes.
WHO/Europe stresses that transforming mental health systems requires leadership, long‑term investment, and collaboration with people who have lived experience of using these services. Ledia Lazeri, Regional Adviser for Mental Health, noted that systems must measure what truly matters for mental health and use that evidence to drive better care.
This initiative is part of the Second European Programme of Work 2026–2030 and the joint WHO–UNICEF Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Well‑being, reflecting a commitment to closing persistent gaps and ensuring that children and young people across the region have access to consistent, accountable, and high‑quality mental health services.
