AT DAVOS, THE SPOTLIGHT TURNS TO MENTAL HEALTH
In a rapidly changing world where there is a strong need to create a shared future, citiesRISE was selected as a transformative social impact initiative addressing one of the greatest issues of our times.
citiesRISE co-founder Chris Underhill is in Davos representing citiesRISE and sharing with global leaders the challenge to cities around the world to turn the tide on mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, suicide, and substance abuse in young people.
“Just a couple years ago, it would have been hard to imagine such a significant global forum featuring mental health – we are proud that your organizations and our collective time, commitment, and action have helped drive this progress!” (citiesRISE)
Every 40 seconds, someone in the world takes his or her own life, producing a global tally of more than 800,000 suicides per year.
Mental illness is a chronic disease of the young, with over 75% of mental illnesses showing by age 24.
citiesRISE aims to improve mental health and wellbeing by connecting leading mental health practitioners and community members to:
Drive change through city- and community-based alliances and initiatives that bring innovative mental health education, prevention, treatment, and recovery support to millions of people currently underserved. With their inherent connectivity, density, creativity, and entrepreneurial capacity, cities have the potential to spur countrywide action.
Adopt evidence-based strategies for tackling the most pressing problems in mental health and wellbeing — especially stigma, the incidence of suicide, shortcomings in support for young people, and the prevalence of mental health problems affecting vulnerable groups.
Scale up proven tools and approaches through helping communities learn from each other and working with innovations that bring services to where people are.
Learn more about citiesRISE.
