Guidelines for the design and implementation of youth participation initiatives to safeguard mental health and wellbeing

Introduction

Worldwide, young people are increasingly engaged in participation and decision-making initiatives regarding issues that affect their lives through advisory groups, representative councils, advocacy and activism. Emerging evidence suggests that these initiatives may have an impact on the mental health and wellbeing of the youth involved. These guidelines, which are based on a scoping review of global evidence and led by a youth advisory group with lived experience of participation initiatives, summarise evidence-based recommendations for designing and implementing youth participation initiatives that protect the mental health and wellbeing of the young people involved. Development of these guidelines followed methods outlined by the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) instrument and the strength of the evidence behind each recommendation was aligned with the National Health and Medical Research Council Levels of Evidence and recommendation grading system.

Main recommendations

The guidelines include 20 recommendations and three good practice recommendations, addressing the following areas:

• prioritising clear and respectful communication;
• creating safe and flexible practices for young people;
• facilitating social and emotional support;
• empowering young people to participate in meaningful and impactful ways; and
• supporting young people to develop skills.

Changes in approach as a result of the guidelines

These guidelines are expected to provide cross-sectoral, global groups with the confidence to design and implement youth participation initiatives, using the best-available evidence, in ways that safeguard the mental health of the participating young people.