#SpeakUp: STAMP

Healthwatch Sheffield’s #SpeakUp-funded project with STAMP (Support, Think, Act, Motivate, Participate), a youth group run by Chilypep, explored young people’s experiences of mental health services in Sheffield. The project engaged 21 young people aged 14-25 through the YOUth Matter event and a further 120 Year 10 pupils through school workshops. Participants included a diverse range of young people, many of whom had direct experience of mental health services. The project aimed to understand barriers to accessing support and identify ways services could better meet young people’s needs. 

Young people identified numerous barriers to accessing mental health support. These included restrictive eligibility criteria within eating disorder services, long waiting times, poor communication, difficulties during transitions between child and adult services and feeling repeatedly signposted between organisations without receiving meaningful support. Participants described a lack of understanding from some professionals, experiences of being treated as problems rather than individuals and frustration with services that appeared focused on processes and targets rather than personal needs. Stigma surrounding mental health, fear of judgement, challenges discussing concerns with family and friends and the impact of depression itself were also seen as barriers to seeking help. 

Social media emerged as both a positive and negative influence. Young people felt increased public discussion of mental health had helped reduce stigma and improve awareness. However, they also identified risks including misinformation, unhealthy comparisons, self-diagnosis, exposure to triggering content and online pressures linked to appearance and popularity. Participants discussed concerns about self-harm stigma, the impact of unhelpful online communities and the need for better online safety measures, education and support. They also highlighted the importance of ensuring mental health services are accessible to disabled young people and are designed with a genuine understanding of young people's lived experiences.

The report recommended earlier and more comprehensive mental health education, mental health training for frontline staff and greater support for parents, carers and friends. Additional recommendations included reducing waiting times, improving communication with young people on waiting lists, providing more youth-focused services for those aged 18-25, improving transition arrangements between services, increasing crisis support, strengthening participation in service design and creating more compassionate and person-centred relationships between professionals and service users. The overarching message was that mental health services should treat young people as individuals, listen to their experiences and involve them meaningfully in shaping support.