The Role of Mental Health in Realizing Children's Right to Survival and Development: Challenges and Strategies

Background: The right to survival and development of children is a fundamental principle of human rights, and fulfilling this right requires meeting children's physical, psychological, social, and emotional needs. In Iran, there are numerous challenges in realizing this right, a significant portion of which is related to psychological issues. This study examines the challenges and opportunities in realizing children's right to survival and development in Iran, with an emphasis on psychological aspects. Objective: The aim of this study is to identify the challenges and opportunities in fulfilling children's right to survival and development in Iran, particularly from a psychological perspective. In other words, the present study investigates the existing barriers to ensuring children's mental health and the available strategies for its improvement. Method: This research was conducted using a review and analytical approach, examining various scientific sources and statistical data on children's mental health in Iran. Information was collected through the analysis of government reports, scientific articles, and data from organizations related to children's rights and mental health. Findings: The findings indicated that the major challenges in realizing children's right to survival and development in Iran include financial limitations in allocating budgets to mental health, a shortage of child psychology specialists, and the negative impacts of poverty and social harm. Less than ۲% of the health budget is allocated to mental health, and this issue is particularly evident in deprived areas. Furthermore, the shortage of child psychiatrists and mental health specialists leads to the delayed diagnosis and treatment of children's psychological problems. On the other hand, opportunities such as educating parents and teachers and using modern technologies like online counseling can help address these issues. Conclusion: The results showed that the realization of children's right to survival and development in Iran faces numerous challenges, mainly related to financial constraints, shortage of specialists, and