# Empowering a New Generation of Care: Strengthening Youth Mental Health in Mozambique
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the Child Mind Institute and the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions have launched their third cohort of Clinical Fellows working in Mozambique.
This fellowship program trains local mental health professionals to expand youth mental health services in a country where access to care remains severely limited. Mozambique faces substantial gaps in child and adolescent psychiatry expertise, with few trained specialists available to serve its young population.
The fellowship model addresses this shortage by developing homegrown expertise. Local clinicians receive advanced training through the program, then remain in their communities to provide direct care and mentor the next generation of professionals. This approach builds sustainable mental health infrastructure rather than relying on external providers.
The Child Mind Institute, based in New York, has established itself as a leader in child mental health research and training. IACAPAP represents thousands of child psychiatrists and mental health professionals across more than 100 countries. Together, they bring evidence-based practices and clinical standards to underserved regions.
For families in Mozambique, the expanding fellowship cohorts mean more trained specialists available for children struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health challenges. Young people gain access to culturally informed care from professionals who understand their local context.
The third cohort milestone reflects growing momentum in the global push to address the youth mental health crisis. The World Health Organization estimates that mental health conditions affect roughly 1 in 5 children and adolescents worldwide, yet most countries lack sufficient trained professionals to meet demand. Training programs like this one recognize that local expertise matters. Professionals trained within their own communities understand cultural factors, family structures, and available resources in ways that external consultants cannot replicate.
Parents