Participants also shared a clear message: they want their voices to be taken more seriously when decisions are made that affect them.
One participant summed up the frustration expressed by many:
“We often fill in surveys, but afterwards too little changes.”
Each year, UNICEF Netherlands gathers the views, concerns and ideas of children and young people on issues that matter to them. These are brought together in the UNICEF Youth Advice and shared with political leaders and decision-makers. The 2026 edition includes views from all three BES islands for the first time.
Mental health ranked as the main concern, with 28 per cent of respondents identifying it as an important issue. Many said they see others their age struggling with stress, sadness and loneliness. Concerns were also raised about the limited number of psychologists and therapists available on the islands.
Participants called for more accessible mental health support, safe spaces to talk openly about their feelings and access to professionals they feel comfortable speaking with.
Bullying followed closely, with 27 per cent identifying it as an important issue. Respondents said bullying is widespread and can sometimes be linked to discrimination. They also indicated that schools do not always provide clear enough information on how incidents of bullying can be reported or addressed.
Safety, particularly instability and insecurity in surrounding countries, ranked as the third main concern. Concerns were also raised about illegal weapons and drugs reaching the islands by sea.
The research also explored whether children and young people feel heard by political leaders. The Public Entities received an average score of 5.4 out of 10 for listening to them, while the Government of the Netherlands received a score of 5.0 out of 10.
The UNICEF Youth Advice will be shared with political representatives on Statia, Saba and Bonaire. The findings and recommendations will also contribute to the Child Friendly Cities Initiative, supporting efforts to ensure that their voices and perspectives are meaningfully included in policies and decisions that affect their lives
