What is YMHD?
Youth Mental Health Day encourages understanding and discussion of mental health in young people, enabling them to live happy and healthy lives all year round. Each year, the day aims to get young people, and those who support them, talking about how to improve mental health.
The YMHD story
Mental health concerns for young people have multiplied in recent times. Today, 1 in 6 5-16-year olds have a diagnosable mental health disorder, with 6 in 10 young people saying they are experiencing mental health difficulties such as anxiety, low mood, eating disorders, and self-harming behaviours. Yet only a third are able to access any effective treatment.
Though times continue to be difficult, Youth Mental Health Day is here to provide hope and positivity. By getting young people engaged in discussions and activities about how to improve their mental health, YMHD goes beyond raising awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. It aims to tackle the heart of the issue by giving young people a voice and agency to take steps towards positive mental health.
stem4, a charity that supports young people to build positive mental health, is proud to be the founder of Youth Mental Health Day in the UK, which started in 2020.
Last Year’s YMHD Video
View the video for #YMHD 2022, where we focused on how young people could #ConnectMeaningfully.
YMHD 2023: #BeBrave
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. Today, seven in ten young people say they are experiencing feelings of anxiety (71%) and low mood (76%). And over the past year, most have experienced feelings of loneliness, isolation, and feeling left out either all, most, or some of the time.
Is it any wonder that nearly half (45%) of young people say they struggle to achieve their goals and ambitions?
That’s why this year’s YMHD theme is #BeBrave. Whether it’s building confidence in facing difficult situations, building social confidence through learning to work together on team tasks, or learning to have the courage to fail by doing something new no matter what the outcome, being brave can mean something different to everyone.
By focusing on what it takes to be brave, #stem4YMHD hopes to give young people the courage and confidence they need to achieve their goals and ambitions, and be the best version of themselves they can be.
How are you going to Be Brave today?
Get involved
We are working on our downloadable packs for YMHD 2023 – sign up to our mailing list to hear when these will be available!
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How some of you celebrated Youth Mental Health Day 2022:
St Cuthbert's C.E. Primary School created a recipe for a good friend
Emanuel School hosted assemblies about stem4's MINDYOUR5 initiative
Sunderland Mind spoke to their adult service users about what message they would give to young people, or their younger self, when facing adversities and poor mental health
St Cuthbert's RC Primary School students got talking about mental health and their feelings
Child Action Northwest asked children how they connect with their friends and family
Sunderland Mind spoke to their adult service users about what message they would give to young people, or their younger self, when facing adversities and poor mental health
Some of the team at Godalming College handed out cakes and lollies at break to connect with their new students
St Cuthbert's RC Primary School students got talking about mental health and their feelings
Emanuel School hosted assemblies about stem4's MINDYOUR5 initiative
St Cuthbert's RC Primary School students got talking about mental health and their feelings
Sunderland Mind spoke to their adult service users about what message they would give to young people, or their younger self, when facing adversities and poor mental health
Join us on social media on 19th September each year
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Youth Mental Health Day is an annual day run by stem4, a charity that promotes positive mental health in teenagers and those who support them. Find out more about the important work that stem4 does and our story here.
