HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE

Dame Rachel de Souza, the children’s commissioner, said the country was “facing a crisis in young people’s mental health” (June 2026). ‘Around one in 10 children has been referred to mental health services amid a rise in the number of ADHD and anxiety diagnoses.’ (See ‘Making a Difference’ Post)

Schools - I am passionate about the work I do with young people and have been providing counselling services to students at secondary schools in Eastbourne (Willingdon Community School and St Catherine’s College) since 2011, as well as privately to young people remotely (via phone/video) and face-to-face at the Eastbourne Clinic of Natural Medicine and Natural Fitness & Therapies.

Anxiety - In the last decade I have witnessed young people suffering from increasing levels of stress and anxiety. Apart from the natural worry caused by exams and keeping up with school work, the pressures of friendship issues and social media have become overwhelming for many.

Self-harming - Sadly this is a regular occurrence amongst young people, and many students have talked about ‘not wanting to be here anymore’. Tragically, the number of teenage suicides in England and Wales increased by 67% between 2010 and 2017.

Safeguarding - Providing a safe place for young people to talk is essential - for some it can literally be life changing.

Care - Being listened to makes us feel valued and gives us hope for the future.

There are many other student/teenage mental health issues that can benefit from support.

“Understanding the risk factors for suicide among young people can help us to prevent it...Research tells us that events such as bereavement, a history of abuse, self-harm, mental ill health and experiencing academic pressures are common risk factors in young people who take their lives. Of course, many young people will experience these things and not take their own life, and it is helpful to understand more about causes, so we can identify groups of young people who may be more at risk and need specialist support.” - Ruth Sutherland, Chief Executive of the Samaritans charity