International Youth Day, held every year on 12 August, is an opportunity to celebrate young people and recognise both the challenges they face and the important role they play in shaping the world around them. The United Nations highlights the importance of meaningful participation, connection and collaboration between generations.
For those working in mental health, International Youth Day is also an opportunity to think about what young people need from the adults around them; particularly when they are experiencing intense emotions, difficult relationships or behaviours that may be hard for others to understand.
Young people need to be heard
Adolescence is a period of significant change. Young people are developing their identities, becoming more independent and navigating increasingly complex relationships, responsibilities and expectations.
At times, this can feel overwhelming. When emotions become particularly intense, a young person may respond in ways that make sense to them in the moment but create difficulties in the longer term. Self-harm, impulsive behaviour, anger, withdrawal or conflict with others can all be ways of coping with experiences that feel difficult to manage.
It can be tempting for adults to focus immediately on changing the behaviour. However, effective support starts with understanding what is happening underneath it.
This is one of the principles at the heart of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): behaviour makes sense in context. Understanding does not mean approving of harmful behaviour or removing responsibility. Instead, it allows us to approach difficulties with curiosity and compassion while still working towards change.
The importance of validation
Validation is a particularly powerful tool when supporting young people. Validation means communicating that another person’s thoughts, feelings and experiences make sense in the context of their history and current circumstances. It does not mean agreeing with everything they say or allowing every behaviour to continue.
For example, telling a young person, “I can understand why you’re angry after what happened” is very different from saying, “It’s fine that you shouted at everyone.” The first communicates understanding. The second communicates approval.
This distinction matters because feeling understood can make it easier for young people to listen, reflect and consider alternatives. When we feel dismissed or judged, we are often more likely to become defensive. When we feel understood, we may have more capacity to consider change.
Building skills for a life worth living
DBT gives young people practical skills for managing emotions, navigating relationships and responding more effectively to difficult situations.
Mindfulness can help young people notice what is happening without immediately reacting. Distress tolerance skills can provide alternatives when emotions feel overwhelming. Emotion regulation skills can help young people understand and influence their emotional experiences, while interpersonal effectiveness skills can support healthier relationships and communication.
Importantly, DBT is not about expecting young people to manage everything by themselves. Young people exist within families, schools, peer groups and wider communities. The adults around them can play an important role in creating environments where skills are encouraged and supported.
Supporting young people together
The theme of International Youth Day 2026 highlights intergenerational solidarity: recognising that people of different ages have an important role to play in creating a better future. In mental health support, this means listening to young people while also helping the adults around them develop the skills to respond effectively. Parents, carers, teachers and professionals do not need to have all the answers. What can make a difference is being willing to listen, validate, learn and work collaboratively with young people.
International Youth Day is therefore more than a celebration of young people. It is a reminder that young people’s voices matter – and that supporting their wellbeing is something we all have a role in. At DBT-UK, we believe that young people deserve to be understood, supported and given the opportunity to develop the skills they need to build lives worth living.
For more information on
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Contact DBT-UK
info@dbt-uk.co.uk | +44 (0) 7541 458 851
