Latest news with #ZZurichFoundation
Independent Singapore
27-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
New white paper warns of the cost of inaction on youth mental health across APAC
SINGAPORE: There's a growing cost—both personal and economic—of not addressing young people's mental well-being across Asia-Pacific (APAC), according to a new white paper by the Z Zurich Foundation. The report warned that mental health issues left untreated early in life affect education, work, and relationships later in life. Notably, nearly half of all mental health issues start by age 14. Meanwhile, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among those aged 15 to 29 in several countries across the region. With over 750 million young people aged 15 to 24 in South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific, the report said the need for action was urgent. Despite this, mental health receives merely 1% of health budgets in many parts of the region, with even less funding going to mental well-being promotion. It explained that promotion initiatives aim to create supportive environments where young people can have emotional literacy and positive coping mechanisms. At the same time, prevention focuses on spotting and mitigating risk factors of mental health conditions, especially among the most vulnerable. 'All actors play a crucial role in scaling youth mental wellbeing initiatives and bridging the funding gaps,' it stated. It called on donors, policymakers, and community groups to invest in mental health prevention and promotion for young people across Asia-Pacific. It stated that urgent investment is needed in public-private collaborations, schools that integrate mental wellbeing with learning, and community-based support systems. It added that a future where young people's mental well-being is supported would require immediate action and long-term commitment, including prevention policies, sustainable funding, a trained workforce, and governance that is open to the youth's voices from diverse cultural backgrounds. It also stressed the need for a mindset shift to view youth mental health as key to societal resilience and economic growth. Gregory Renand, Head of the Z Zurich Foundation, said, 'The time for fragmented solutions is over. We must align across sectors, scale proven approaches, build collaborations and invest in systems that put young people at the centre. The future of the APAC region depends on it. Together, we can create environments where young people not only survive but thrive.' See also Morning brief: Coronavirus update for August 5, 2020 The white paper builds on effective examples across the region as it aims to guide public and private organisations, institutions, policymakers, and civil society on how to best support youth mental wellbeing. Some promising initiatives mentioned include youth-led platforms, sports initiatives, emotional education programmes, and blended financing models, which combine the strengths of different sectors to create lasting change. /TISG Read also: Singapore youth turn to AI chatbots for mental health needs as they find it 'far cheaper than therapy' Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
New Straits Times
28-04-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Mayor launches resilience projects to strengthen KL's response to climate change
KUALA LUMPUR: The city's Urban Climate Resilience Programme marks a bold step towards localising climate goals by empowering communities to co-create solutions for a changing environment, said Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif. Launching the Community Resilience Implementation Plans for Kampung Pasir Baru and PPR Beringin, she said, "We need to do this together with the communities living in the area as any action plan will depend on their cooperation, support, and most importantly, local knowledge." Kampung Pasir Baru is home to about 1,300 residents while PPR Beringin in Jinjang Utara provides affordable housing to more than 8,000 residents since its completion under the People's Housing Programme (PPR) in 2003. "Moving forward, DBKL together with our partners will mobilise resources and deliver early interventions in Kampung Pasir Baru and PPR Beringin," she said at the launch ceremony held at DBKL Tower 1 today. In conjunction with the Z Zurich Foundation, Zurich Malaysia, and C40 Cities, Maimunah added that, if successful, these community-led projects would serve as models for replication across Kuala Lumpur. Drawing from her experience as UN-Habitat executive director, Maimunah said, "I know first-hand that climate adaptation and mitigation must be affected through local action. It is at the city and community level that resilience is built; and it is in the communities that future-fit cities are made." "As Mayor, I am proud that these community-driven initiatives are fully aligned with the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040, our 15 flagship programmes, and our strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals," she added. Maimunah said that these efforts also position Kuala Lumpur as a regional leader in urban resilience ahead of its hosting duties for the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum, the Asean Governors and Mayors Forum, and the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals from Aug 10 to 15. In attendance were Z Zurich Foundation head Gregory Renand, C40 Cities East, Southeast Asia, and Oceania regional director Murali Ram, Zurich Malaysia Country Chief Executive Officer Junior Cho, and resident representatives from Kampung Pasir Baru and PPR Beringin.
