#SpeakUp: STAMP
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STAMP, a Sheffield group of young people aged 14 to 25 focused on improving mental health services, used a Healthwatch Sheffield Speak Up grant to organise a consultation event exploring young people's experiences of mental health support. Twenty-one young people took part, including many from under-represented groups and LGBT+ communities. Through a series of creative activities, participants discussed what worked well, what barriers they faced and what their ideal mental health services would look like.
Young people valued services that provided a safe and welcoming environment, allowed time to build relationships, and employed understanding, approachable and supportive staff. However, they also reported concerns about long waiting times, services being overstretched, intimidating language, difficulties accessing support before reaching crisis point, poor transitions between services, and feeling powerless within the system. Stigma, fear of judgement, lack of information about available services and difficulties communicating personal experiences were also identified as major barriers to seeking help.
Participants described the qualities they wanted most in support workers as understanding, kindness, approachability, good communication, reliability and flexibility. Their vision of a “perfect service” included comfortable, non-clinical environments with relaxing spaces, peer support, activities, technology, refreshments, visible inclusivity and access to nature or animal therapy. Young people stressed that services should feel welcoming and designed around their needs rather than feeling institutional or hospital-like.
The report recommended reducing waiting times through greater investment, improving information about services, increasing flexibility in how support is delivered, strengthening support during transitions between child and adult services, and involving young people directly in the design, recruitment and evaluation of mental health services. Participants also called for better mental health awareness in schools and more youth-friendly approaches that reduce stigma and make it easier to access support early.