Supporting mental health in Peru

At the Anglo American Foundation, we don’t treat mental health as a side note; we see it as the starting point. When a young person feels emotionally supported and has access to the right tools and resources, they are more likely to stay in school, find meaningful work, and contribute to their community. Without that foundation, potential goes untapped.

Too often, conversations about youth focus solely on skills and employment, without asking a vital question: how does a young person feel? The truth is, no one can build a life when they feel overwhelmed, unheard, or unmotivated. That is why mental wellbeing sits at the heart of our mission to champion young people for a green and fair future. It fosters resilience and leadership while equipping the next generation with the confidence and tools to access economic opportunity and shape tomorrow.

This thinking drives our partnership with EMpower in Peru. Mental health remains one of the most urgent and under-resourced challenges facing young people across the country, particularly in marginalised and rural communities. This report is more than research. It is a roadmap for action, grounded in the lived experiences of young people and guided by the insights of local leaders who understand what it takes to create systemic change.

We are proud to support EMpower and to walk alongside the organisations, advocates, and young people who are reimagining what it means to grow up with care, connection and hope.

Together, we can help create a world where mental wellbeing is not only protected, but prioritised, because young people deserve nothing less.

Read the report here in Spanish