Category: Young People

Children and young people’s mental health: prevention evidence: Summary report and outputs from a review of evidence for universal approaches to improving children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Public Health England, October 2019

This series of reports summarises the evidence for the effectiveness of universal approaches to improving children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.  The documents are intended for strategic and operational leads, working on children and young people’s mental health.  The report of the findings of a Special Interest Group summarises the approach, findings and recommendations.

Click here to access the reports.

A healthy foundation for the future: The final report of the young people’s future health inquiry –

The Health Foundation, October 2019

A healthy foundation for the future: the final report of the young people’s future health inquiry from the Health Foundation summarises the work of a two-year inquiry into young people’s future health. It urges the government to overhaul policies across housing, transport and education and adopt a whole government approach to secure the future health of today’s young people. Key recommendations include:

• a government review of the impact of the exam system and the ‘teach to test’ culture on the mental health of young people.

• significant reforms to the private rental sector including developing minimum standards for landlords and greater support for ‘build to rent’ schemes so that young people can put down roots and feel a sense of ‘home’.

• ending the postcode lottery in access to discounted and free transport for students and young people seeking employment.

Click here to view the report.

A Space to Talk: An evaluation of the WISH Centre’s services with young people who self-harm

Centre for Mental Health, November 2018
How can services meet the needs of young people who self-harm? The report analyses outcome data and by enganging with users of WISH services and stakeholders, finds that the WISH Centre’s work makes a difference to young people, by combining counselling and psychotherapy with facilitated peer support and outreach to young people in schools and communities. Young people who attend WISH have far fewer A&E attendances during that time than before, and at least two-thirds of young people had improved wellbeing after receiving therapy and over 80% reduce or stop self-harming. It concludes that The WISH Centre’s approach creates a safe space in which young people can get expert help in dealing with difficult issues and feelings while also helping each other. And by reaching out into schools and communities it helps to tackle stigma and make it easier for young people to seek help.  The report calls for:

  • CCGs and local authorities across the country to commission services similar to WISH to support young people struggling with self-harm;
  • Commissioning more for young men, and a specific offer for young people who identify as LGBT;
  • More support for parents, carers, teachers and other professionals;
  • Awareness-raising and myth-busting about self-harm to encourage young people to seek help.

Click here to view the full report.