Represented Our Country in China…

Expert Clinical Psychologist Emeç Serin, a graduate of Üsküdar University's Institute of Social Sciences Clinical Psychology Master's Program and a student of the New Media and Communication PhD Program, represented Turkey at the “2026 World Youth Development Forum” organized by the United Nations China Office, the All-China Youth Federation, and the World Youth Development Forum Organizing Committee. In the international program, supported by UNICEF, Serin had the opportunity to share her work in psychology, social media, digitalization, and mental health with young leaders and experts from all over the world.

The 2026 World Youth Development Forum (WYDF) and Young Entrepreneurs and Start-up Founders Acceleration Training programs, held in Shanghai and Wuhan, China, between June 11-17, 2026, brought together young leaders, representatives of international organizations, policymakers, and experts from over 120 countries and regions. 

The program aimed to strengthen young people's projects for sustainable development goals and increase global collaborations.

Represented Turkey in the field of mental health

Expert Clinical Psychologist Emeç Serin, a graduate of Üsküdar University's Clinical Psychology Master's Program and a student of the New Media and Communication PhD Program, made evaluations during her presentations and discussions at the forum, particularly on the effects of social media on mental health, the ethical and accurate dissemination of psychological information on digital platforms, the accessibility of psychological support, and the accessible therapy model developed under the umbrella of 22 Psychology Education and Counseling Center, which she founded in Turkey. 

Serin emphasized the importance of combining her expertise in clinical psychology with her academic work in new media and communication to deliver mental health information reliably and accessibly to wider audiences in the digital age.

“The education I received at Üsküdar was an important guide on this journey”

Sharing the pride of representing Turkey on an international platform, Serin stated that being a Turkish mental health expert on the international youth, development, and digital transformation agenda was a very valuable experience for her. Serin said; “I embarked on this path with the strength I gained from my psychology education and my doctoral studies. I believe that young people should have a greater say in the global arena and that mental health projects should be shared on an international scale.” During the forum, Emeç Serin met with 500 participants from 120 countries and made important contacts regarding projects to support the psychological well-being of young people in a digitalized world and international collaborations.

Drew attention to mental health in the age of social media

While topics such as artificial intelligence, youth policies, sustainable development, and digital transformation were discussed in the sessions held at the forum, Serin's work garnered particular interest in the areas of psychological well-being in the age of social media, ethical psychological information on digital platforms, and increasing access to mental health services.

It was stated that the forum, organized under the auspices of the United Nations, aimed to encourage young people's more active participation in global decision-making processes, support the projects of young leaders, and develop international collaborations. 

Within the scope of the program, young leaders had the opportunity to collaborate with participants from different countries by sharing innovative projects developed in line with sustainable development goals.

Üsküdar graduates continue to make a difference on international platforms

Emeç Serin, an Üsküdar University graduate and PhD student, representing Turkey at the World Youth Development Forum, once again demonstrated that the young academicians and experts trained by the university can undertake important roles at an international level.

Serin's success in sharing her work centered on mental health, digitalization, and social media on a global platform not only contributed to the international visibility of young academicians but also set an important example for bringing Turkey's mental health expertise to the global public.