Youth Mental Health Day

Today is Youth Mental Health Day. A day to encourage understanding and awareness of mental health in young people, enabling them to live happy and healthy lives all year round. Each year, the day aims to get young people, and those who support them, talking about how to improve mental health.

True or false – One in eight children and young people aged between 5 and 19 in England had a mental disorder, even before Covid-19 hit the UK. Sadly, it’s true… (source Stem4.org.uk/youthmentalhealth)

The impact of Covid-19 has hit young people hard. From not being able to spend time with their friends, to being locked down with their immediate family to the uncertainty around the exam results and the fight for university places. It’s fair to say 2020 has been bad year for adults but have we stopped and thought about the impact on our children, nieces, nephews or young family members we have?

It’s important that we check in on their mental health too, it’s easy to miss the signs that something is wrong or put it down to them simply being typical teenagers. The charity Mind has recently launched an enquiry into the impact Covid-19 has had on children’s mental health. According to their latest survey two-thirds of young people who responded said their mental health had deteriorated during lockdown, and nearly half faced difficulty in accessing support.

This Youth Mental Health Day why not pledge to check in, have a chat to show them that you are listening? Make time of out your busy day with calls and Zoom meetings and just stop and talk to them? if you don’t live with them or aren’t close by how about calling or video chatting? Arrange something do to together that shows them you are listening, and you are there for them should they need someone to talk to.

Earlier this month it was announced after much consultation and campaigning that mental health education is being rolled out across England and Wales for the first time as part of the reformed curriculum. This is a great step forward in helping provide children with the knowledge and capability to take care of themselves and receive support if problems arise.

But as parent, aunts and uncles what can we do to be ready to help and support? Why not look at getting a better of understanding of Mental Health for yourself through an awareness  or First Aid course on Mental Health.

By helping yourself, you are helping others too and you will learn invaluable skills that you can apply in everyday life, not just when talking to young people.

·       YoungMinds operate a free 24/7 support for a young person across the UK if they are experiencing a mental health crisis. If urgent help is needed simply text YM to 85258 and all texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors. Texts are free from most network providers.

·       Childline can be contacted for free on 0800 1111 or alternatively you can log in for a 1-2-1 counsellor chat

·       Samaritans operate a 24-hour service available 365 days a year, by calling 116 123

·       Mind offer support Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm on 0300 123 3393 or text 86463

·       CALM’s telephone and webchat (0800 585858) is open from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year.