ARUSHA, Oct. 9 -- AKILI Tulivu Organisation has urged the government to integrate mental health into national policies and development plans from grassroots to national levels, while ensuring greater youth participation in decisions affecting their wellbeing and future.

Programme Coordinator Elizabeth Milaho made the call on Wednesday while speaking at the 153rd InterParliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Arusha.

Ms Milaho said mental health challenges affected not only young people but also families, communities and, ultimately, the national economy when left unaddressed.

She said participation in the IPU Assembly provided an opportunity to sensitise parliamentarians and policymakers on the need to make mental health a national priorit...