Young people mental health what helped you most what helped you least 2016-2017, Herefordshire

In 2017 Healthwatch Herefordshire produced a report that concluded work with 39 young people between 11 and 26 years of age that have experienced difficulties affecting their mental health. The young people shared what helped most and what helped least. The project was carried out in partnership with 6 organisations that work with young people.

A wide variety of issues were identified that impact negatively on young people’s mental health with the greatest being disability and anxiety. Over 50% of the young people in this survey had experience of diagnosed mental health conditions. They identified young people experiencing mental health difficulties from as young as 6. In this sample the majority experienced difficulties between 11 and 18 years of age.

Recommendations

• Health and Social care organisations and Young people support services and practitioners – 6 recommendations were identified some of which suggest the organisations should recognise the effect of multiple issues on young people’s mental health, and the potential mental health implications of disability as it impacts on young people’s ability to socialize and take part in ordinary activities and relationships. In addition Mental Health organisations should consider providing accessible information to help schools, colleges, young people’s organisations and general public to help and support young people earlier with low level mental health difficulties and to refer appropriately to ease stigma of seeking help and to prevent escalation.

• Commissioners – 4 recommendations were identified including sponsoring young volunteer projects to create a self-help guide and for more interventions.