The Reality of Mental Health in Algeria among Children and Adolescents - Between the Challenges of Reality and Intervention Strategies -

Introduction Mental health represents a central axis in the quality of life of individuals and an indicator of their level of psychological balance and ability to interact positively with their social environment. It is no longer viewed as merely the absence of mental disorders, but rather as a comprehensive state of mental, social, and emotional well-being. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2013) defines it as a state of mental well-being that enables individuals to realize their potential, cope with the stresses of everyday life, and work productively and effectively in their community. In light of this expanded concept, contemporary psychological literature, within the framework of the bio-psycho-social approach, emphasizes that mental health is the result of a dynamic and complex interaction between individual factors (biological and psychological), family factors (upbringing methods and relationships), institutional factors (educational, health, media), and social factors (values, norms, social policies). This interaction makes mental health a cumulative construct that is shaped over the course of development, thereby underscoring the utmost importance of nurturing contexts that frame the process of upbringing and guidance. In this context, the stages of childhood and adolescence emerge as cornerstones in the formation of an individual's psychological structure, where the effects of protective factors (such as family and school support) are concentrated, as opposed to the escalation of risk factors (such as neglect, violence, and pressures). The uniqueness of these two stages in the Algerian context does not differ from their importance globally, but rather increases in the face of rapid social and cultural transformations that Algerian society is witnessing, and the new challenges they impose on rising generations. International and regional reports indicate that a significant proportion of children and adolescents worldwide face intertwined challenges, ranging from accelerated family changes, increased school pressures, and widening social disparities, in addition to digital invasion and the new patterns of interaction it brings, which carry both promising opportunities and looming risks (UNICEF, 2021). On this basis, concern for every factor of mental health becomes an indivisible necessity, as neglecting any dimension of it may negatively impact an individual's balance and development trajectory. Mental health is an integrated construct whose pillars intersect - individual, family, and institutional dimensions - to ultimately form a supportive or hindering environment for healthy psychological growth. Educational institutions, particularly schools, emerge as one of the most important spaces capable of enhancing and consolidating protective factors, which necessitates a comprehensive approach based on integration and coordination among various actors: family, school, media, and civil society. Based on the above and in response to the urgent need to understand the reality of mental health among children and adolescents in Algeria, this national conference aims to provide a rigorous academic space for constructive dialogue among researchers, practitioners, and experts. It seeks to achieve several objectives, most notably: diagnosing the current challenges facing the mental health of this group in the Algerian context, in all its social, cultural, and institutional dimensions; analyzing the intervention mechanisms of those responsible for childcare and adolescence in Algeria, and evaluating their effectiveness in the face of current changes; and formulating prospective visions and practical proposals that can be implemented to guide national programs and policies towards building an integrated system that supports enhancing the quality of psychological life for rising generations in Algeria. Conference Axes First Axis: The Conceptual Framework of Mental Health in Childhood and Adolescence. Second Axis: The Reality of Challenges Facing the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in Algeria. Third Axis: Mechanisms and Strategies of Preventive and Therapeutic Intervention, and the Role of Integration between Institutions and Sectors in Enhancing Mental Health. Fourth Axis: Field Experiences and Studies (Prevalence of Disorders, Successful Experiences in Care, Reality of Training in Mental Health) in the Algerian Context. Important Dates: - Deadline for receiving complete interventions: Wednesday, 25/03/2026, extended to 05/04/2026. - Response to accepted interventions: Sunday, 05/04/2026. - Date of the conference: Monday, 13/04/2026.