The ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025 side event took place virtually on April 16 and was co-organized by the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace, the Major Group for Children and Youth, and UN Youth Delegates and Representatives from Austria, Italy, Tanzania, Germany, and the USA. It focused on the urgent link between mental health and decent work for youth, aligning SDG 3 and SDG 8.
With rising anxiety and instability caused by precarious employment, the event emphasized the need to treat mental health as a public good and workplace safety issue. Youth-led evidence and solutions were presented, including peer support models, leadership training, and policy advocacy. Speakers addressed systemic challenges such as AI bias in hiring and lack of protections for informal workers. Audience polling highlighted instability and burnout as key concerns and called for stronger mental health provisions.
The event concluded with recommendations for governments, UN bodies, and employers to prioritize psychosocial protection, expand youth-led programs, and recognize mental health as essential to sustainable livelihoods.
Have a look at the event report below, as well as the recording of the event and the keynote video!
