The impact on the mental health of local young people
Download (PDF 846.29 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Central West London have produced a summary report outlining what they have heard about young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. These insights have been gathered from local people through community engagement in Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.
The paper presents key findings and observations on young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing based on what residents told their local Healthwatch, through:
- Statutory Healthwatch work
- Young people’s mental health survey
- Discussion sessions with youth groups
- Awareness projects
- Wider community engagement activity
- Social media
- Weekly young Healthwatch volunteer meetings
- Wellbeing webinars
Key findings:
- The demand for CAMHS services since the pandemic has risen
- Schools are an important partner in supporting and signposting young people and need information on specialist mental health services, online support, and support in the community
- Young people said they did not have the information they needed to be able to find support online
- Young people generally would not go to their GP for support, and there is little awareness of the role of GPs as a gateway to further support
- Only a third of survey respondents had heard of CAMHS services
- Young people said there is a perception that the information given out on emotional wellbeing support by GPs is outdated
A number of recommendations were made in the report with regard to how to communicate effectively with young people to provide information and raise awareness of support that is available to them.