SGG 5: Mental Health and Well‑being for All
A core pillar of the Agenda for Social Equity 2074, establishing a universal reference standard for mental health, psychosocial well‑being, and psychological safety across society
Goal Statement and Definition
Goal Statement
Ensure that all individuals have access to appropriate, timely, and dignified mental health support and enabling social conditions that promote psychological well‑being, prevent harm, and safeguard human dignity across the life course.
Definition
For the purposes of Agenda 2074, mental health and well‑being refers to a state in which individuals are able to cope with life challenges, participate meaningfully in society, and exercise personal agency, supported by accessible mental health services, protective social environments, and the absence of stigma and discrimination. Mental health encompasses prevention, early intervention, care, recovery, and psychosocial support, and extends beyond clinical treatment to include social, educational, workplace, and community contexts.
Strategic Rationale
Mental health is a foundational determinant of social equity, yet it remains among the most neglected and stigmatized dimensions of social development. Where mental health needs are unmet, societies experience increased exclusion, reduced productivity, intergenerational harm, and diminished institutional trust. Psychological distress, when unaddressed, undermines educational attainment, labor participation, family stability, and civic engagement.
Agenda for Social Equity 2074 therefore treats mental health as a structural social condition, not a residual health issue. Well‑functioning societies require social systems that prevent psychological harm, respond early to distress, and provide sustained support without stigma or barriers. Ensuring mental health and well‑being strengthens resilience, supports human capability, and enables progress across all other Social Global Goals, from education and work to civic participation and ethical technology use.
Targets
In order to realise this goal, institutions across the public, private, cooperative, and civil‑society spheres should, as a minimum:
- Ensure accessible, affordable, and timely mental health support across the life course, including prevention, early intervention, care, and recovery.
- Integrate mental health and psychosocial support into education, workplaces, community services, and public systems.
- Eliminate stigma, discrimination, and harmful practices related to mental health through rights‑based policies and public awareness.
- Protect psychological safety in social, educational, and work environments, including safeguards against harassment, abuse, and chronic stress.
- Ensure transparency, accountability, and grievance mechanisms related to mental health service provision and institutional practices.
Targets are designed to be adaptable across cultural and institutional contexts, while preserving the core intent of dignity, accessibility, and support.
Indicative Indicators
Progress under SGG 5 may be illustrated through proportionate, non‑financial indicators, including but not limited to:
- Availability and accessibility of mental health and psychosocial support services at community level.
- Integration of mental health support in schools, workplaces, and public institutions.
- Presence of anti‑stigma frameworks, safeguarding policies, and awareness initiatives.
- Utilization rates and waiting times for mental health support services.
- Existence and effectiveness of grievance and redress mechanisms related to psychological harm or neglect.
Indicators prioritize access, prevention, safety, and institutional coherence rather than volume of clinical treatment alone.
Alignment with Global and Regional Frameworks
Social Global Goal 5 reinforces the mental health dimensions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well‑Being), while strengthening linkages to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), by emphasizing mental well‑being as a prerequisite for equity and participation.
The goal aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, notably Aspiration 1 (A Prosperous Africa Based on Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development) and Aspiration 6 (An Africa Whose Development Is People‑Driven), by recognizing mental health as integral to human development, productivity, social cohesion, and dignity.
In European contexts, SGG 5 complements the European Green Deal by addressing the psychosocial dimensions of economic, climate, and technological transition. It supports the need for mentally healthy workplaces and communities during periods of structural change, ensuring that social transformation does not generate systemic psychological harm.
Position within Agenda 2074
