stem4’s Youth Mental Health Day 2023 took place on Tuesday 19th September. This year’s theme was #BeBrave, and stem4 encouraged young people to reflect on what bravery means to them, instilling the confidence and building the courage they need to become the best versions of themselves.
Why #BeBrave?
This year, stem4 chose the theme #BeBrave in order to address the rise of anxiety in young people in recent times. Over the last few years, young people have experienced multiple crises – from the pandemic and global warming, to political conflict and the cost of living crisis. In a survey by stem4 with SurveyGoo in July 2022, it was revealed that 4 in 10 young people said they were experiencing mental health difficulties. Amongst these young people, 71% said they were experiencing feelings of anxiety, and 67% said they were experiencing low mood. Furthermore, it revealed that over the past year, nearly half of young people have reported feelings of loneliness, isolation, and feeling left out either all, or most of the time. Youth Mental Health Day hopes to shine a light on the importance of prioritising young people’s mental health, and let young people know that they are not alone in how they feel.
Our Youth Mental Health Day 2023 resources
For Youth Mental Health Day this year, stem4 created a wide range of clinically-informed resources for young people, parents and carers, schools and teachers, and organisations to use to learn more about being brave, and to get involved with the #stem4YMHD campaign. Dr Nihara Krause MBE, consultant clinical psychologist and stem4’s CEO and founder, shared some tips for young people on How to #BeBrave in a variety of challenging situations. stem4 also provided resources for schools and colleges to use to mark the day and start meaningful conversations about positive mental health in their community. It was great to see so many people engage with our resources, with over 3,000 downloads so far! Thank you to everybody who has got involved.
stem4’s ambassadors and supporters speak about what bravery means to them
In the 5th September 2023, two weeks before Youth Mental Health Day, stem4 launched our official campaign video. The video takes a look at what it means to #BeBrave, highlighting that bravery looks different to all of us. The video features our wonderful ambassadors, Ella Greenwood, Tom Haunstetter, Michael Maitland and Iain Maitland, and our brilliant supporters, Jordan, Kashvi, Zoe and Sergio. The video also features Richard Webb-Stevens, who speaks on what bravery means to him as a paramedic for the London Ambulance. We are so grateful to have such wonderful supporters at stem4, and we hope that our video inspires bravery amongst young people, and those who look after them.
stem4 celebrate bravery in Central Wimbledon
On Youth Mental Health Day, Tuesday 19th September, the stem4 team had a brilliant day in central Wimbledon, sharing our free mental health resources for young people and asking supporters to share what bravery means to them on our #BeBrave wall. It was truly inspiring to see so many messages of bravery being written on our wall. The most common messages that young people shared were that being brave means being yourself, being brave means doing your best, and being brave means facing new challenges or fears. We were so grateful to our young supporters for sharing such important messages with us and with one another.
The stem4 team were joined by students from Ursuline High School, Wimbledon College, and Southborough High School, who received certificates for their brilliant work to support stem4 and young people in the Merton community. Martin Whelton, the Deputy Mayor of Merton, also attended the event to say a few words and present the certificates to our young supporters.
We would like to thank everyone who came down to the #BeBrave wall and got involved! A special thank you goes out to Love Wimbledon, Andrew Scott Robertson, Lush, and Wimbledon Theatre, who made the day possible.
People come together and highlight the importance of Youth Mental Health
stem4 was overwhelmed with the support for the Youth Mental Health Day campaign online and on social media. On Tuesday 19th September, #YouthMentalHealthDay was the number one trending hashtag in the UK, highlighting the importance of these conversations across the country. The day was supported on Twitter by organisations such as the Mental Health Foundation, The Brothers Trust, Chelsea Foundation, All on the Board, and Samaritans.
stem4 was pleased to have the support and official endorsement of the Mayor of London’s office for Youth Mental Health Day. Joanne McCartney, the Deputy Mayor for Children and Families, said:
“I wholeheartedly support the work stem4 are doing this Youth Mental Health Day. Early intervention and support for young Londoners struggling with their mental health can make a world of difference, setting them on a path to a brighter future. The Mayor and I will continue to do everything in our power to ensure London is a place where young people can talk openly about mental health and get the support they need as early as possible, as we build a better London for all.”
Schools across the country reflect on what it means to #BeBrave
We were thrilled to see so many schools across the country, and internationally, get involved with our Youth Mental Health Day campaign this year. From #BeBrave activities and workshops, YMHD assemblies and lessons, to wonderful fundraising activities in support of stem4, it was brilliant to see so many young people get involved at school or college. Over 450 schools and colleges used our YMHD Activity pack and Assembly pack to celebrate the day, including our 22 valued YMHD Ambassador Schools. We would like to thank all the teachers, staff, and young people who helped us to raise awareness about youth mental health on the day.
New report highlights the need for early intervention and evidence-based support
As a part of this year’s Youth Mental Health Day campaign, stem4 conducted a survey of 1,025 young people about their mental health with SurveyGoo. The survey revealed that nearly six in ten 12 to 21 year olds say they are in mental health distress, and that just 15% of the young people in need of support say that they are receiving professional mental health intervention. Furthermore, the results showed that over eight in ten young people say that they avoid situations so as not to feel anxious.
Dr Nihara Krause MBE commented, “These findings are deeply worrying as they indicate young people feel less able to face anxiety-provoking situations and so avoid them. This is why we have focused this year’s Youth Mental Health Day on what it takes to be brave. We hope to give young people the courage and confidence to face and overcome their fears so they can achieve their goals and ambitions, and be the best versions of themselves.”
The findings were released by stem4 in a major new report, ‘Anxious and at breaking point’. The new data highlights the need to empower young people, parents and carers, and educators in increasing their understanding of anxiety and mental health disorders. It emphasises the value in seeking early evidence-based support and early intervention. Please refer to the full report for more information, and for stem4’s recommendations on how we can increase support for young people
We would like to thank everybody who got involved with this year’s Youth Mental Health Day and helped us to shine a light on the importance of prioritising young people’s mental health, and we look forward to Youth Mental Health Day 2024!
To be the first to hear about Youth Mental Health Day 2024, sign up to our mailing list below. Our 2023 #BeBrave resources are still available, download them here.
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