Young people's wellbeing and mental health
Right now, children's wellbeing is at a ten year low. When problems start, they can't get help. When things get too much, they are put on a waiting list. We want young people to be happy and feel good about themselves, to be able to fight and not give up.
What is wellbeing?
Wellbeing is about how we are doing and how we feel about our lives.
Low wellbeing has been linked to mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. It can impact our relationships with family and friends and how we feel about and interact with the world around us.
Right now, young people aren’t getting the help they need. They can struggle to access support from overstretched public services. Those on waiting lists for therapy can wait months or even years to be seen. It’s unacceptable.
mental health statistics young people
1 in 6
children likely to have a mental health condition
52%
of 17 to 23 year olds have experienced mental health getting worse in the last five years
How we help young people struggling with wellbeing and mental health
We are there for those who can't access mental health services and are at high risk of developing a mental health condition if they don't get the support they need. If they're anxious about home life or stressed over exams, we listen. We help them understand their emotions, to take control of the situation and feel more confident.
For many, our services are the only places they have to talk to about their problems. We also campaign to make sure young people are listened to and that their wellbeing is top of the Government's agenda.
Improving children's mental health
Right now children are not getting enough mental health support. The government must invest in places young people can go when they are struggling. No waiting lists. No referrals. Early support when they need it.
Our mental health drop-in centres
Growing up can be difficult. Young people are trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. They might be facing big challenges. We’re here, whenever you’re ready.
Time for young people is our new emotional wellbeing support space for young people aged 10 to 25 who live and study in Newham, east London.
there were people there that cared and listened
mental health drop-in facts and figures
1,432
children and young people were helped by BEAM last year
80%
said they felt more able to deal with their emotional health and wellbeing afterwards
the light is stronger than the dark
the light is stronger than the dark
As a teenager, Daniel didn't get mental health support when he needed it. Only after he ended up in hospital did he begin to get the right help. Today he's focused on his dreams and hopes more children find support before they reach crisis point.
Pause mental health drop in service
City-centre drop-in, Pause, helped more than 2,000 children and young people last year. They can walk in and see someone straight away - no more waiting to get the help they need.
If they're feeling low, we talk about what keeps them motivated. We give them activities to focus on, a goal to work towards. We put their voice at the centre of the service.
We're always trying to find new ways to help young people stay mentally healthy. We trialled the use of virtual reality headsets to help young people cope with challenging situations. We also trained secondary school students to be mental health ambassadors so they can help other people their age get through tough times.
from the minute you walk in it’s warm and welcoming from the minute you walk in it’s warm and welcoming
Working in schools
Our unique Resilient Me programme works with schools to better understand and support the mental health and wellbeing of young Muslims.
We make sure parents can spot the signs a child is feeling low. We show them what support is available, provide training for staff and deliver workshops for students to help them look out for each other.
campaign for wellbeing
Getting young voices heard
Young people we work with tell us that the Government need to invest more in children's mental health services. We campaign with and on behalf of children and young people to get their voices heard.
Those in government need to see the world through children’s eyes. They need to make sure young people always have someone to talk to. We need more funding, more early mental health support and greater understanding of what harms children’s wellbeing.
