Instituto Cactus and the Child Mind Institute's Stavros Niarchos Foundation Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health have launched "Have you ever felt this?" a new mental health campaign targeting Brazilian teenagers.
The initiative centers on educational films designed to normalize adolescent mental health struggles and connect young people with support resources. The campaign tackles the reality that many teens experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges but lack access to quality information or professional help, a problem particularly acute in Brazil where mental health services remain limited for young people.
The partnership brings together Instituto Cactus, a Brazilian mental health organization, with the Child Mind Institute's expertise in adolescent psychology and evidence-based interventions. The films use relatable storytelling to help teens recognize their own experiences in others' journeys, reducing shame and encouraging help-seeking behavior.
Research shows that early intervention in mental health significantly improves long-term outcomes for adolescents. The American Psychological Association reports that around one in five teenagers experience mental health issues, yet most never receive treatment. Educational campaigns like this one work by lowering barriers to awareness and action.
For parents in Brazil, this campaign offers a practical entry point for conversations about mental wellness. The films can help families understand that emotional struggles are common, treatable, and nothing to hide. Parents can watch alongside their teens, which opens dialogue around feelings and coping strategies.
The timing aligns with growing recognition of adolescent mental health as a global priority. The World Health Organization identifies mental health as foundational to overall wellbeing during teenage years, when the brain undergoes significant development and peer relationships intensify.
Parents seeking similar resources can look to their local child psychiatrists and school counselors, who often recommend educational campaigns alongside professional support. The Campaign aims to demystify mental health treatment and position it as a normal, accessible part of growing up.