The Lancaster Model ’s Post

"When we think about what to do to address [mental health], it's not about fixing young people, it's about fixing the conditions around young people in ways that are going to be more conducive to their mental health and well-being.” - Interact for Health VP of Mental Health Policy, Ross Meyer Check out this story from SoapboxCincy that highlights new data on youth mental health and how funders, community leaders, and youth are coming together to find solutions. https://ow.ly/7LtB50QG7qs

Depressing report from Children's Commissioner for England on Children and Young People's Mental Health Services. The report focuses on the services themselves - once children have reached a point where they need them. This is important work. However, the foreword also says there should also be work done "upstream, creating an environment and a world – both online and offline - where children grow up feeling happy, safe and supported". I'd argue that this is crucial - and in line with NHS England's long term plan. Working to create the conditions for children to be able to play - in playwork projects, in schools, and playing out near their homes, could contribute significantly to this. Our literature review shows that when the conditions are right, most children can create their own wellbeing through play. This means joining up with initiatives to support health more broadly and looking at the environment, including Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities inquiry into Children, Young People and the Built Environment and also the Children's Alliance Plan for Play, sponsored by OPAL OUTDOOR PLAY AND LEARNING CIC and launched at the House of Commons this week by Kim Leadbeater MP. Let's see some joined up thinking here! https://lnkd.in/eSj6aM7q

I found this UNICEF page and Toolkit among the resources within the recent DfE Guidance on Mental Health for Early Years Children. It is extremely informative for Early Years Educators and those leading provision at a range of levels. With the prospect of children entering school based nurseries at younger ages across different sectors it is essential that the needs of the under fives in Nursery or Reception settings are understood and provided for. Joined up thinking across services to train and support the Early Years teams is essential and it feels like there are stronger frameworks for this emerging - at last ! https://lnkd.in/ewQ8Stfn

It’s children’s mental health week! Sadly, the statistics are well known, in 2023, one in five children and young people in England aged eight to 25 had a probable mental health disorder (NHS Digital, 2023). These figures only reiterate the importance of ensuring young people have early and rapid access to mental health and wellbeing support. As part of our annual Student Happiness Index research, we learnt that many school children don’t know how to ask for help. It can be difficult for them to articulate the emotions they might be feeling, and adults who either aren’t attuned to such nuanced approaches, or feel uncomfortable talking about emotions, could easily brush off what could be a cry for help. Adults – teachers, parents, guardians, and caregivers – need support in stepping out of their comfort zone and helping young people speak up about their emotions. Charities like YoungMinds provide useful tips on how to get young people to open up, and services such as Endsleigh’s Pupil Assistance Programme provides access to 24/7 professional support and advice for teachers, parents, and caregivers, 365 days a year. Early intervention can help children perform better at school, improve their long-term outcomes, and help them develop strengths and skills that prepare them for university and adult life. During this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week, we’d like to draw attention to the importance of giving all children and young people across the UK a voice and the emotional tools to manage challenging situations – now and in the future. Learn more about early intervention: https://bit.ly/3StMxkl You can download our Student Happiness Index 2023 report: https://bit.ly/48aPGvg Learn more about Endsleigh's wellbeing programmes for young people: https://bit.ly/487Pa0X Learn more about Children’s Mental Health Week: https://lnkd.in/dfasKKd #childrensmentalhealthweek #pupilwellbeing #endsleigh #howden Place2Be

"There is no better measure of the health of a nation than the mental wellbeing of its children and young people. The statistics on mental health in children are heartbreaking and demand immediate action." - Professor Mark Mon-Williams The third report in the 'Child of the North series', produced jointly by the Child of the North research group (N8 Research Partnership) and Centre for Young Lives, launches today. It presents an evidence-based plan for Government to boost children’s mental health through the education system. The research finds that: 🚨 18% of children aged 7-to-16-years-old had a probable mental health condition (in 2022), 🚨 22% of young people aged 17-to-24 had a probable mental health condition (in 2022), 🚨 Chronic waiting lists left more than 32,000 children waiting over two years for help (2022/23). This urgent crisis has a profound impact on children and young people’s life chances as well as the wellbeing of wider society. 👉 Read the Child of the North mental health report: https://lnkd.in/e9wkj6pz 👉 Read the University of Leeds press release: https://lnkd.in/e5QxfR_7 #childrensmentalhealth #mentalhealthcrisis #childrenandyoungpeople #education The York Policy Engine

Tens of thousands of kids are waiting two years or more for mental health support in England, officials have revealed. Some 40,000 children and young people endured these lengthy waits last year after being referred for specialist care, often after seeing family doctors or other health professionals. Demand for services is high, with nearly 1 million kids seeking mental health support in the 2022/2023 financial year. That’s around 8% of England’s 11.9 million children. It's because the support for children's mental health is so dire that we at Nip in the Bud are striving to produce evidence-based films to support carers, families and anyone who works with children that empower people so they can spot early signs of mental health issues. https://lnkd.in/egpjxu_z

Explore essential recommendations in this Advisory for supporting the mental health of children, adolescents, and young adults. While individual efforts matter, systemic change is crucial for widespread impact. Discover how institutions like schools, community organizations, healthcare systems, foundations, employers, and government can contribute to the well-being of young people.

StrongMinds, a DRK Foundation portfolio organization, treats women and adolescents with depression in low-income, sub-Saharan African communities. Leveraging group interpersonal therapy, StrongMinds has provided treatment to over 600,000 individuals, with 80% of their patients remaining depression-free six months after therapy. Because of their proven impact, StrongMinds is expanding to the United States and recently launched in New Jersey to address the growing youth mental health crisis. Catalyzed by a grant from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, StrongMinds America is providing mental health screenings, workshops, presentations, and resources to youth in under-resourced communities to help them identify signs and symptoms of mental health concerns. So far, in 2024, StrongMinds America has connected 500 youth in New Jersey to mental health support. Their long-term goal is to fundamentally increase access to mental health services in all 50 states.  “This grant from Horizon has enabled StrongMinds America to challenge stigma and misconceptions about mental health that keep people from reengaging with services they need. Our goal has always been to remove barriers to care in communities we serve, and this funding is crucial in achieving this goal,” says Sean Mayberry, founder and CEO of StrongMinds, about their recent support. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/esMnCEm3