Young people and mental wellbeing

Our society has changed dramatically for all the children and young people – they are under greater pressure to grow up fast. We wrap them in cotton wool in a zealot like attempt to protect them because we fear for their safety and yet we underprotect those who are abused or suffer from mental welfare issues

We demonise young people and lack understanding of the context they are growing up in. Many are isolated, unhappy, have eating disorders or self-harm . One in three children has a diagnosable mental health disorder – and that's just the ones that have been classified.

There is still a huge stigma around mental health, which means young people d0 not get the support they need. Support that nurtures wellbeing should be part of the foundation of all schools and teaching emotional resilience and mental well being must be a core element of the curriculum.

I think there is the economic argument too – investing in services for young people not only reduces misery and loneliness but saves millions in future costs to the criminal justice system, NHS, education and social care.