A good life begins with a good childhood. Therefore, it is important that all children and young people thrive. Most children in Denmark are thriving in their everyday lives. However, more children and young people report problems with physical, mental and/or social well-being, and in some areas, the well-being of children and young people is particularly challenged. The mission aims to contribute to solving these challenges and improving the well-being of children and young people. 
 
Physical well-being encompasses the general health of children and young people. This includes healthy sleep habits, eating healthy food, hygiene, e.g. brushing teeth, being physically active, and feeling comfortable in your own body. It is also about getting effective treatment for pain and illness. 

Mental well-being refers to emotional and mental well-being in day-to-day life. This can include feelings of safety, closeness or joy, as well as having strong and supportive relationships, as opposed to feeling lonely or excluded. It also involves the ability to cope with mental challenges and access treatment for mental illness.

Social well-being is about feeling good with others, in the contexts you are part of. This might mean having good friends, being part of a community, and feeling a sense of belonging. It also involves actively participating and contributing to shared activities, rather than feeling left out.
 

Physical, mental and social well-being are three important dimensions in thriving.However, how they are interconnected, both in general and for the individual, can vary. Children and young people are different, live and grow up in different ways and with dierse living conditions and opportunities.

We know that social and economic inequality and vulnerability are significant explanations for why some children and young people show signs of poor physical, mental, and social well-being. But we also know that poor well-being does not solely arise from or can be explained by social and economic background.

The everyday lives and environments of children and young people have a significant impact on how they feel. This includes the peer groups they are part of. It also involves how society’s sectors, systems, professionals, and others create frameworks and conditions for the well-being of children and young people, such as in daycare, schools, leisure activities, education, workplaces, and local communities.

Finally, it is also about how we as a society promote well-being in the lives of children and young people through policy, legislation and initiatives.  
However, we still know too little about how to improve the physical, mental and social well-being of children and young people, for example:

WHAT well-being is for different children and young people, including how they themselves experience well-being and discontent in everyday life and over time. 

WHY some children and young people thrive better than others in everyday life and over the life course.  

HOW we create better conditions for and improve the well-being of children and young people and not least: how long-term or deep discontentment can be prevented 

This knowledge is important in order to improve the well-being of children and young people. 

The ambition of the mission to improve the well-being of children and youth is to develop new knowledge and new solutions in partnership with actors in society.