“Alone with my thoughts”: Recommendations for a new approach to young people’s mental health support

Poor mental health among young people remains one of the last great medical taboos in the UK today. Despite the epic scale of the issue – three children in every
classroom suffering from a diagnosable mental health problem, with thousands more teetering on the brink – and the terrible long-term effects this can have, on both individuals and society at large, we have so far failed to find an appropriate solution. Instead of a nation where young people are educated about their mental
health and supported to be healthy, happy and fulfilled, we have a culture of stigma, misunderstanding, ignorance and shame. Rather than being encouraged to speak out and seek help – and receiving appropriate support when they do – young people suffer in silence, wither on waiting lists or simply receive no help at all.

This is not acceptable. Our young people deserve better. In fact, they have a right to more. We need a sea-change in how we approach their mental health and wellbeing. And the time for that change is now.