Young people: listening to how they keep healthy

Healthwatch Lambeth carried out in-depth interviews with 16 young people aged 16 to 18 and nine youth workers across several youth settings during 2016 to understand how young people keep healthy, where they seek support and what barriers they face. Most participants were from African or Caribbean backgrounds. The project explored sexual health, mental health, alcohol and drug use, access to information and the role of youth workers. Overall, young people demonstrated some understanding of healthy behaviours but highlighted significant gaps in knowledge, support and opportunities. 

In relation to sexual health, most participants reported being sexually active and said they usually used condoms. However, awareness of sexual health services and STI testing was inconsistent. Many young people had never had a sexual health check and were unsure where to access one. Some held misconceptions about contraception and STI risk, whilst others felt embarrassed about using sexual health services or discussing testing with partners. Participants wanted more practical, realistic and engaging sexual health education that reflected their experiences and focused on both relationships and infection prevention, not just pregnancy.

Mental health emerged as a major concern. Young people frequently described anxiety about their future, employment prospects, educational pressures and safety within their local communities. Several spoke about exposure to violence, fear of losing friends or family members and the lasting impact of traumatic experiences. Many young men felt unable to discuss their feelings openly due to beliefs about masculinity, preferring to deal with problems alone. While some valued support from mentors, teachers and youth workers, most said they would struggle to talk to parents about emotional difficulties. Youth workers highlighted increasing levels of anxiety, trauma and low self-esteem among young people, alongside concerns that many lacked confidence, opportunities and access to appropriate support services.

The report concluded that improving young people's wellbeing requires more than information alone. Participants wanted health education that was interactive, relevant and delivered by relatable people with lived experience. Youth workers called for greater investment in mentoring, emotional support, employment pathways and community-based interventions. Healthwatch identified the need for better sexual and mental health education, increased awareness of local services, stronger support networks and greater attention to the impact of violence, social exclusion and limited opportunities on young people's health and wellbeing.