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No matter how old we are, anyone can experience a mental health crisis. Concerns about youth mental health are increasing exponentially. Last year, YoungMinds reported a record high of urgent referrals and open referrals for under-18s in England (1), massively impacting children and young people’s wellbeing.
Key issues impacting youth mental health include (2):
Amidst an increasingly uncertain world, more must be done to improve youth mental health.
Celebrating its 10th year, Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week runs from 5-11 February, with the theme of ‘My Voice Matters’.
When we're young, difficult experiences can feel overwhelming and isolating. We don’t know the right words to describe how we’re feeling.
Empowering children and young people with the tools and skills to share and use their voices can have a lifelong positive impact. Place2Be’s website has fantastic resources for primary-age and secondary-age children and young people to help get them started.
For more self-care tips and support, our school resources can help.
Our Youth MHFA® courses are for anyone who works, lives with, or supports young people aged 8-18.
By giving you the tools to start conversations together, we can create mentally healthy, supportive environments in families, schools, youth groups, and communities.
Let's create a future where every young person has access to support if they need it.
Become a Youth Mental Health First Aider
For more urgent help, the following organisations may be able to help:
Children and young people can call Childline on 0800 111 anytime, free of charge. Click here for more information.
Shout maintains a 24/7 text support service free of charge. They can be reached by texting SHOUT to 85258.
Also known as CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), is the NHS branch specialising in supporting children and young people’s mental health. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has put some information together to describe what Child and Adult Mental Health Services (CAMH) are and how people who work in CAMHS may be able to help you.
Sources:
(1) The Guardian, Number of children in mental health crisis at record high in England, 2023
(2) Action for Children, Is youth mental health getting better or worse, 2022