Mental Health Awareness Week
Next month (9-15 May) marks Mental Health Awareness Week, an initiative designed by the Mental Health Foundation to drive awareness of the prevalence of mental health conditions and to increase awareness of how to promote wellbeing and support those in need of help...
According to Young Minds, the need being addressed has never been greater. Their research shows that:
- In July 2020, one in 6 children age 5-16 were identified as having a probable mental health issue
- Less than one in three young people with a mental health condition get access to NHS care and treatment
- 80% of young people with mental health needs agree the pandemic has made their mental health worse
- Suicide was the leading cause of death for young people aged 5-34years in 2019
Debra Vice-Holt, Programme Manager for SLN commented: “Mental health issues can have a significant detrimental impact on our energy levels, confidence, focus, motivation and ability to learn. It’s so vital that when young people experience a deterioration in their mental health, they can access the practical and emotional support they need before the situation escalates.”
So what can you do to support young people in your learning environment? Below are four steps you can take during Mental Health Awareness Week to help enhance the mental health and wellbeing support you offer:
- Check out our Learning4LifeSussex.org.uk life and education information hub to discover links to a wide range of resources, organisations and information to help young people deal with life’s stresses and to support wellbeing.
- With ‘loneliness’ the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, why not take the opportunity to help young people explore the free youth groups, clubs and services available across Sussex that can help them build their confidence, network and sense of belonging. We’ve got a comprehensive directory you can explore on Learning4 LifeSussex.org.uk by clicking here.
- Download our free Role Models ‘Worry’ teaching pack and student workbook to help your students age 14+ discover a raft of positive and practical coping strategies for dealing with worry in their daily lives.
- Discover useful videos explaining the impact of events on our brain and emotional states as well as videos created to take teens through the basics of breathing techniques and meditation. They have been created by Rise – a Sussex based charity that supports people affected by domestic abuse, but can be used by anyone going through a tough or traumatic time and are invaluable for empowering young people to understand and manage their emotions.