YoungMinds Newsletter – April 2023
Welcome to your April e-newsletter from YoungMinds! The clocks have gone forward, the days are getting longer and warmer, and Spring is here. We hope the lighter days are helping you feel brighter and more energised. But if you’re not feeling a spring in your step, that’s okay. Take things at your own pace 💛
This month’s edition is jam-packed full of exciting updates. It shouldn’t take more than 6 minutes to enjoy all the stories.
Success for #EndTheWait at our event in Parliament!
On Monday 20th March, we hosted an event in Parliament to drive MPs to support our #EndTheWait campaign. The campaign is calling for the Government to deliver on its promise of ending the crisis in young people’s mental health. The event was a resounding success, with 74 MPs coming along to show their support! 15 of our Young Activists also attended and spoke to MPs face-to-face about their experiences of mental ill-health and what the campaign means to them.This unique opportunity for young people to speak directly with decision makers
wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our amazing campaigners. They’ve come out in their thousands to sign their names on cards, write personal messages to MPs and send direct invites encouraging their local MPs to attend the event. We’re so grateful for their commitment to our movement. This is a huge step for our campaign, and it’s given us even more motivation to continue fighting for a world where all young people can get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what. Watch this space for updates on what comes next!
Find out more about what happened on the day
How we collaborated with Poetic Unity to showcase young Black voices
Every young person deserves to have someone to turn to, to talk about their mental health. But this isn’t always the case. For Black and minoritised young people, racism, stigma and discrimination often overshadow the help or support provided. We need to be better at supporting Black and minoritised young people with their mental health.
To help raise awareness of these issues, we teamed up with Poetic Unity (a poetry collective that empowers young people) to facilitate a workshop with young Black people exploring the question: ‘How can adults respond well to Black young people looking to speak about their mental health?’. Young poets Jayda and Aaron shared their thoughts. Hear their poems below.
Trigger warning: These videos tackle issues surrounding racism, aggression and abandonment.
Learn more about our collaboration
Supporting young people’s mental health during Ramadan
Ramadan Mubarak to everyone celebrating the holy month of Ramadan! May this month bring happiness and harmony to you and your loved ones. We know that Ramadan is an extremely joyous occasion for many Muslims. However, if a young person you know is finding things tough right now, you may find the following faith-friendly resources useful to share with them.
“Not being able to fast due to a health condition does not make you any less of a Muslim”
Aaliyah, blogger
Help young people to cope with stress using this resource
This national Stress Awareness Month, we’re joining The Stress Management Society in sharing tips and advice on coping with stress. With the rise of social media, ever-growing academic pressure and the cost-of-living crisis, it’s fair to argue that young people are more stressed than ever before. Whether it’s in a professional or personal capacity, use this stress bucket activity with a young person you know. The exercise will help them identify what is causing them stress and what they can do to reduce it. You might even find it useful yourself!
Our new fundraising campaign starts next month
By taking 310,000 steps over 31 days in May, our supporters are helping bring conversations about young people’s mental health #OutInTheOpen. Challenge yourself to walk, skip or run the 310,000 steps and help raise vital funds as part of #TeamYM. No matter how much you raise, your donations will help us continue our mission of making sure all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what. Ready to take on the challenge? Sign up now
📰 Mental health in the media 📰
‘I worry my young patients will die’: UK’s eating disorder services not fit, say GPs
The Guardian, Denis Campbell, 22/03/23
Read the full story >
Schools have become ‘fourth emergency service’ due to poor mental health and social care for young people
Sky News, Alice Porter, 10/03/23
Read the full story >
Over a third of Gen Z have struggled with mental health – but don’t seek support
The Mirror, Martin Winter, 06/03/23
Read the full story >
Services in England for children with special needs to be ‘transformed’
The Guardian, Sally Weale, 02/03/23
Read the full story >
✍️ New on the blog this month ✍️
Five self-care tips for depression (Luca, 23)
Read Luca’s blog >
My experience of chronic illness and mental health (Laura, 21)
Read Laura’s blog >
Why I decided to leave university and put my mental health first (Jade, 23)
Read Jade’s blog >
How I learnt to manage panic disorder in school (Charlie, 20)
Read Charlie’s blog >
Better your understanding of mental health with one of our online courses
We’ve got lots of great training courses to choose from, all delivered by our friendly YoungMinds trainers, such as:
- Responding to anxiety in children and young people (online) – 28th April, 10am – 1:30pm
- Practical approaches to supporting children and young people’s mental health (online) – 4th May, 9:30am – 3pm
- Introduction to trauma and adversity (online) – 10th May, 10am – 1:30pm
Find more courses on our website >
Our latest tips and advice on Instagram. Follow us @YoungMindsUK
At YoungMinds, we’re leading the movement to make sure every young person gets the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Team YM 💛