stem4 story

Who we are

stem4 is a charity that promotes positive mental health in teenagers and those who support them including their families and carers, education professionals, as well as school nurses and GPs through the provision of mental health education, resilience strategies and early intervention.

This is primarily provided digitally through our innovative education programme, pioneering mental health apps, clinically-informed website and mental health conferences that contribute to helping young people and those around them flourish.

Our mission

To foster the development of good mental health in teenagers through enhancing early understanding and awareness in individuals, their families, schools and the community, promoting shared early detection and signposting towards prompt action and intervention.

Aims

  • Raise early awareness and highlight the importance of early intervention in teenage mental health issues – taking steps to help stem problems at an early stage
  • Educate through interactive conferences for schools, digital tools such as the Head Ed programme and through our comprehensive website
  • Encourage debate and shared information through a programme of conferences targeting students, parents/carers, education professionals, school nurses and GPs
  • Provide self-help through our mental health app library, website and booklets

How we began

Dr Nihara Krause founded stem4 based on the knowledge that early identification and intervention made a real difference in stemming what has recently been reported to be escalating teenage mental health conditions in their often serious and long-lasting course.

In 2010 a 16-year-old teenager, who lived in Merton, died after battling with anorexia nervosa. Dr Krause was involved in supporting her school, family and friends in grieving for her loss, and saw this as the impetus to set up a charitable organisation that would provide accurate, user-friendly psycho-education to young people, their families and carers and schools.

stem4 was formed in June 2011 with a passionate group of six volunteers with a range of skills and super ideas who shared in their commitment to making a difference to young people’s mental health. Now, stem4 has 13 Staff, 8 Trustees, and a number of dedicated contractors and volunteers – all still with the same aim and commitment to making a difference and improving young lives.

Dr Nihara Krause

Our founder

Dr Nihara Krause MBE, BSc(Hons) MSc PsychD C.Psychol C.Sci AFBPsS

Dr Nihara Krause is an award-winning Consultant Clinical Psychologist, with many years of clinical experience. Having worked as an NHS Consultant, she now runs her own private practice and is also a University lecturer.

Dr Krause has developed the MINDYOUR5 wellbeing programme adopted in a number of schools and is the clinical creator of Calm Harm, Clear Fear, Move Mood, Combined Minds and Head Ed.

In 2015 David Cameron presented her with the Point of Light Award for her work and in 2014 she received the Mayor of London’s Award for her commitment to the community. She received the ‘Making a Difference’ award for mental health by the Positive Practice Collaborative in 2016 and a Certificate for Outstanding Contribution to Merton in 2018.  In 2019 Dr Krause was honoured to receive the British Citizen’s Award, health (BCAh) for her contribution to the health of children and young people in the UK.

In June 2023, Dr Krause was honoured to be recognised with an MBE for her services to the mental health of young people.

Help us support teenage mental health