Don't presume we are fine just because we look OK: the mental health needs and experiences of young people in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea

This is a report by Healthwatch Brent and Healthwatch Westminster. The project aimed to look at experiences of young people's mental health and services.

Overall, it was found there is a need for mental health services to be more accessible, and better integrated with community-based support systems and activities. Information about these services needs to be shared more widely, alongside information and resources to support young people’s mental health. Finally, there is an opportunity for service providers to link up more effectively with schools, both in terms of tackling stigma around mental health, and offering early intervention and support.

There are recommendations in this report.

1. Expand and integrate wrap-around wellbeing supports and social prescribing into mental health services for young people.
2. Increase access to mental healthcare services, especially long-term counselling and talking therapies.
3. Provide more online information and resources for young people’s mental health.
4. Address mental health stigma in schools, healthcare, and community settings.
5. Increase offers of mental health and wellbeing support in schools, especially in handling academic stress and career pressures.

There are follow up actions in this report. These include a co-production event for young people plus the aim to increase membership of young Healthwatch.