Instituto Cactus and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the Child Mind Institute have partnered on "Have you ever felt this?" a new mental health awareness campaign for Brazilian teenagers.
The initiative features educational films addressing adolescent and youth mental health challenges. The campaign speaks directly to teens through storytelling, normalizing conversations about emotional struggles that young people often face alone.
Brazil's teen mental health crisis demands attention. According to the World Health Organization, depression affects roughly 280 million people worldwide, with adolescents bearing a significant burden. Limited access to mental health services in many Brazilian communities makes awareness campaigns especially valuable.
The Child Mind Institute, based in New York, brings decades of expertise in adolescent psychology and evidence-based treatment approaches. Instituto Cactus contributes local knowledge of Brazilian teen culture and needs. This partnership combines clinical credibility with cultural relevance.
Educational films work well for reaching teens where they spend time. Video content normalizes mental health discussions among peers, reduces shame, and helps young people recognize when they need help. Research shows that peer-focused mental health messaging increases help-seeking behavior in adolescents.
The campaign addresses common challenges like anxiety, depression, identity questions, and social pressures. By naming these experiences, the films validate teen emotions and signal that struggling is part of growing up, not a personal failure.
Parents benefit too. When teens watch these films, families open conversations they might otherwise avoid. Parents gain language for discussing mental health with their children and learn warning signs that warrant professional support.
Access matters. Digital campaigns reach teens in rural areas and communities with few mental health resources. The films cost nothing to view, removing financial barriers to mental health education.
This campaign reflects a shift in adolescent mental health. Rather than waiting for crisis, prevention-focused approaches meet teens where they are. By addressing mental health early and openly