The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Implications for children's mental health

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was created to promote the well-being of children around the world. The Convention, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1989, covers a wide range of issues dealing with the physical and emotional well-being of children. The specific purpose of this article is to explore the implications of the Convention for children's mental health. A content analysis of the document reveals six main themes or guiding principles for the promotion of children's mental health: (a) protection, health care, and nurturance; (b) opportunities for education and personal development; (c) children's rights and self-determination; (d) appreciation of human diversity; (e) collaboration and respect for others; and (f) adequate provision of resources. Ways to translate these principles into action in families, schools, communities, and society at large are discussed. On the basis of available knowledge, I show how these values can be enacted by parents, teachers, professionals, and social policy-makers.