Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience’s Post

Hopelab’s Samira Pingali reflects on the The White House Youth Policy Summit: “I was most glad to witness the shift in focus from problems to solutions at the summit. Not once did I hear talk of the youth mental health crisis, and there were no slides on the jarring statistics of youth suicide. Instead, panels, breakout room sessions, and one-on-one conversations in the hallways spoke of opportunity and possibility. This shift not only instilled hope but also made actions seem promising and achievable. It is clear: meaningful policy change requires collaboration, involving young people, creating space to comprehend their needs, and presenting opportunities for progress.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gYMZ7qnb

This is the type of announcement so many of us advocating for investments in community-based mental health services have been waiting for 👏👏👏 Roughly seventy-five per cent of all adult mental health conditions start before the age of 18, and a third of those start by 15. The availability of community-based mental health services for youth can promote accessibility, acceptability, affordability, and scalability of services, as well as promote adherence to treatment and increase the likelihood of positive clinical outcomes. Access to mental health services continues to be a major barrier for so many youth and their families. We know that if help is provided to young people early in their lives, that can prevent small problems from turning into big ones. With a diagnosis, treatment and early intervention programs can often equip young people with important coping skills and resilience, which can help them manage future challenges more effectively. #mentalhealth #youth #accesstocare

In case you missed it, Dalio Education recently published a comprehensive study highlighting the current mental health crisis among Connecticut's youth. The study reveals that one-in-five of young people ages 14 to 26 are either at-risk or disconnected. This is a figure that escalates significantly here in Hartford and in other major cities across the state. These statistics underscore the urgent demand for youth mental health care, and the need for increased support to community health providers who provide that care. Our mission at InterCommunity is to deliver an integrated approach to health care by providing primary care, mental health care and addiction recovery services. It is paramount that we strengthen our commitment to connecting young people with these vital resources, and to do so within their local communities. The findings of this report should be a wake up call for our state for a crisis that requires a collaborative response from the state, health officials, school systems, and community-based health providers. – Kim Beauregard, President & CEO, InterCommunity Health Care https://lnkd.in/etnQcKR9

What makes great youth work? 👇👇👇 The National Youth Agency have produced the curriculum below to try to answer this question, but like all strengths-based, positive and pro-active solutions that are co-created with young people and their communities, it’s really hard to define. What isn’t hard to define is what happens when great youth work isn’t happening, and we can see the impact of this everywhere - from the children and young peoples mental health crisis to growing social isolation and loneliness to devastating incidents of violence affecting young people. It has always been hard to prove what great youth and community work prevents. How can we demonstrate what we’ve stopped from happening? Maybe now we’ve seen the effects of decimating youth and community services, we can have better conversations with funders and partners about the unique and amazing offer we bring to the table. It feels like a really exciting time for our sector, what are your thoughts? #youthandcommunity #youthwork #communitydevelopment #ymca

Did you know that every pound invested in young people’s access to community activities and support can generate almost twice the savings in long-term mental health expenses? Youth mental health services are facing an unprecedented crisis, and social prescribing is the solution. Thanks to the work of Barnardo's and Open Data Institute, the numbers are in - here are a couple of key figures to consider: 👉 Every £1 invested in social prescribing delivers long-term benefits of about £1.80, reducing pressure on mental health services and more. 👉 1 in 5 GP appointments are for non-clinical issues. And social prescribing could reduce the need for GP appointments by 2.5-3% annually, equating to 2.8-3 million fewer appointments. This data underscores the immense potential of social prescribing in transforming our healthcare system, especially in addressing youth mental health concerns. At Access Elemental Social Prescribing, we're on a mission to make this platform accessible to all, driving positive change and promoting a healthier, happier society. I'm excited to be a part of this journey and to work with a team that's passionate about improving healthcare outcomes through innovation! 💪 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eui8BAYK #MentalHealthMatters #YouthMentalHealth #SocialPrescribing #MentalHealthSupport #Barnardos #HealthcareSolutions #YouthWellbeing #InvestInYouth

A timely article with some shocking stats about the mental health of our younger generations, due to the pandemic and years of macroeconomic stressors, including: - Younger generations are 50% more likely to have mental health problems than 7 years ago - 23% of 17 - 19 year olds, and 20% of 8 – 16 year olds in England suffered from a probable mental health disorder in 2023 The good news is that there are inspiring organizations that are taking action. Amongst them is The Women's Association, proudly supported by EY and other partners, who provide access and experiential opportunities to girls aged 14 to 19 that help nurture their talent and ambition in the world of work. Read the article below if you want to find out more... #BetterWorkingWorld Lindsey Bowser Deborah B. Williams Kate Mackie

🌎 The Knight Watch 🌎 ✍️ Flash Article: 🌐 "Challenges In Today's Youth: Degrading Mental Health" - In recent years, the mental well-being of today's youth has become an increasingly concerning issue. Multiple factors contribute to the downward spiral. The omnipresence of social media platforms has had a profound impact on the mental health of young individuals. Studies indicate a correlation between excessive social media use and increased rates of depression & anxiety. The constant comparison to curated online personas has left many young people struggling with self-esteem issues and an unhealthy need for external validation. An absence of strong leadership and parenting at home. Today's parents often juggle demanding work schedules, leaving limited time for meaningful family interactions. The absence of parental guidance can lead to feelings of isolation, insecurity, and a lack of emotional support. A pressing concern is the increase in single-parent households, where fathers are often absent. This issue is layered, with factors such as economic pressures, relationship breakdowns, and societal shifts playing a role. The absence of a father figure can impact a child's emotional development, potentially leading to behavioral and psychological challenges. The increasing problem of drug availability has been exacerbated by America's broken borders. The easy flow of illegal drugs into the country has posed a direct threat to the well-being of young people. In part the decline of attendance in formal institutions such as churches and synagogues. These institutions have historically provided a sense of community and moral guidance, and their waning influence can leave a void in young people's lives. There is growing concern about the erosion of ethical and moral fortitude in society. A lack of clear values and principles can leave young people feeling adrift and unsure of their place in the world. The media landscape is also a significant contributor to the mental health challenges faced by today's youth. Corporate-controlled media often prioritize sensationalism and conflict, potentially fueling fear, anxiety, and a sense of societal breakdown among young people. In conclusion, the challenges faced by today's youth in maintaining good mental health are multifaceted. Addressing these issues will require comprehensive efforts from families, communities, policymakers, and society as a whole. It is crucial to provide the necessary support and resources to help young individuals navigate the complexities of the modern world while maintaining their mental well-being. (By Brandon W. Knight © 10/30/2023) #MentalHealth #Religion #HumanResources #SocialMedia #America #USA #Politics #Journalism #Technology #Business #AdvertisingandMarketing #Media #News #PublicRelations #Humanity #FreeSpeech #Lifesciences #Gender #CEO #Finances #Entrepreneurship #Marketing #Sales #Energy #Future #Linkedin Indiana University Bloomington

The Jed Foundation (JED) applauds the Biden administration's continued commitment to addressing youth #MentalHealth in America, as highlighted in last night’s State of the Union address. For the past 25 years, JED has been at the forefront of helping schools, equipping young people, and mobilizing communities to help students navigate the emotional challenges of high school and college, prepare for adulthood, and thrive. Through our evidence-based Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention, we will remain steadfast in supporting students and implementing systematic change in the face of escalating mental health concerns. To read JED’s latest response on the State of the Union address–which offers further recommendations to safeguard young people–visit https://bit.ly/49ITqFU

👉 "...this study aimed to investigate the association of the dimensions of social connectedness (networks and satisfaction with networks) and perceived social support (affective, confidant, and instrumental) with the physical and mental health of older adults." 📣 We invite you to read the Article "Social Relationships and the Health of Older Adults: An Examination of Social Connectedness and Perceived Social Support" by Samuel Asante, PhD and Grace Karikari 🔗 Full text can be found at: https://lnkd.in/dn3X-J9j

During covid lockdowns there was much talk about youth mental health and it was framed as an issue that came about because of lockdowns. While most young people's mental health was fine, youth mental health had been on the decline for the decade prior to the pandemic. The politicisation of this issue through covid saw the Melbourne press charging the government with responsibility for a spate of youth suicides and suggestions of a 'shadow pandemic' of deteriorating youth mental health. Under-funded services attempted to use the focus on the issue to lobby for more funding. But young people, youth workers and teachers were not ever included in discussion and community care for youth mental health fell away as lockdowns ended. In this new chapter co-authored with Belinda Johnson & Patrick O'Keeffe, we looked at 171 media articles that covered youth mental health in the first two years of the pandemic. Less than five stories spoke to a young person at all. This raises questions about how we as a community are informed about social issues and how governments respond (or don't) to them. Most importantly, it shows us how little we consider young people as experts of their own experiences. (Happy to share the chapter via email for anyone without access.) RMIT Social Equity Research Centre