Voice of Children and Young People Report
Download (PDF 776.5 KB)Summary of report content
This report presents the findings of a survey conducted by Healthwatch Wakefield as part of the national Future in Mind programme, which aims to improve mental health support for children and young people. Healthwatch worked with local voluntary and community sector organisations to gather the views of 877 children and young people across the Wakefield district about mental health, emotional wellbeing, and access to support.
The survey found that the most common causes of stress and unhappiness were falling out with friends (54%), school or college work being too difficult (52%), and family problems (44%). Other significant issues included loneliness, bereavement, bullying, illness, concerns about appearance, and financial difficulties.
More than half of respondents reported that they had already sought advice or support for emotional or mental health concerns. When looking for help, children and young people were most likely to turn to friends, parents, and other family members, highlighting the importance of informal support networks. Many respondents also said they would seek help from teachers or youth workers.
When asked what type of support would be most helpful, nearly three-quarters said they wanted someone to talk to and listen to them, while many also valued opportunities to speak with others experiencing similar problems. Far fewer preferred telephone helplines or online information.
Respondents indicated that they would prefer counselling or support to be offered in familiar and accessible settings. The most popular locations were their own home, school or college, and youth clubs, suggesting that comfortable and trusted environments are important when seeking help.
Among those who had received support, 78% said the advice or support was good, and 71% said it met their needs. Positive experiences were characterised by feeling listened to, understood, and supported in finding solutions. Negative experiences often involved feeling ignored, misunderstood, not taken seriously, or receiving advice that did not help resolve their problems.
The report also identified differences between groups. Girls generally reported higher levels of stress than boys, particularly in relation to friendships, bullying, and loneliness. Young people whose gender identity differed from that assigned at birth reported especially high levels of loneliness, family-related stress, and low self-esteem.
The report concludes that a substantial proportion of children and young people in Wakefield experience emotional distress and actively seek support. It emphasises the need for easily accessible information, effective early intervention, and opportunities for young people to talk to trusted individuals. The findings highlight the importance of ensuring that children and young people's voices are included in the design and improvement of local mental health services.