#iWill Ambassadors reflect this World Mental Health Day

As we recognise World Mental Health Day, #iwill Ambassadors Chloe and Beth share their personal experiences and perspectives on mental health.

Recently, I was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder. This is something I think it is vitally important to be honest and open about – discussing the struggles that young people have with their mental health goes a long way towards reducing the stigma surrounding seeking professional help. There is absolutely nothing wrong with admitting you need help; in fact the worst thing you can do for yourself is to try and conceal the issues you have from those around you who have the ability to support you.

I have had anxiety for as long as I can remember, though it wasn’t always called that. I was described as a ‘worrier’, as having a ‘nervous disposition’, as an ‘overthinker’. Due to the harmful stereotypes and negative associations I had come across in the media relating to people with anxiety, I believed that what I was going through was somehow wrong or socially unacceptable, which led me to try to hide the issues I had in my everyday life. It took me much longer than it should have done to realise that not everyone is constantly scared of being judged and fearing the worst possible option in every situation, but when I was diagnosed with anxiety all of these difficulties began to make sense to me. The damaging misconceptions that people hold about anxiety had prevented me from being able to access the medication and safe space that I needed for far too long, which made me want to go into social action to ensure the same thing does not happen to the thousands of other young people struggling with their mental health.

Getting involved in social action is quite honestly one of the best decisions I have ever made – being able to advocate for the thing I am passionate about has helped me to gain a huge amount of confidence, which encouraged me to apply to become an iWill Ambassador. Through iWill, I have really been able to develop my social action skills. However, something that is far more important to me than that is that I have been able to meet some of the most incredible friends from all over the UK that I share interests and life experiences with both related and unrelated to my social action work, something which has never come easily to me.

Therefore, I think the main message I want young people reading this to take away is that it’s ok to not be ok, but you shouldn’t let that hold you back from taking on amazing opportunities – you never know where it could lead in future!

On the 10^th October, it is World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme, set by the World Health Organisation, is mental health at work.

60% of the world’s population work. WHO outlines that governments, employers, organisations, employees and other stakeholders need to work together to improve mental health at work. But how does this affect young people?

In August 2024 872,000 16 to 24 years old were not in full-time education or employment (NEET) and 14.2% of 16 to 24-year-olds were unemployed. It has been highlighted that experiencing unemployment can lead to mental health issues, inequalities and reduce a person’s career potential.

In 2023 one in five children and young people in England had a probable mental health disorder. The NHS, government, news channels and more have said that this shows children, and young people are feeling unprecedented pressures, but what steps have they taken toward tackling this crisis?

As a young person with lived experience of mental health services, I had confidence issues, a lot of worries, experienced loneliness and did not have ambition for my future. Youth work and social action really changed my life. It provided hope, individuals I could trust, a community and skills such as public speaking, teamwork and project managing.

By bringing this into a young person’s life at an important stage of their life, we can help prevent poor mental health. Currently, many experts by experience feel like we have to be at crisis point to receive support, but we can change this pathway together to by integrating into society prevention is better than a cure.

WHO outlines that we need to work together to improve mental health at work and that includes involving young people too!

What are we asking for this World Mental Health Day?

• Engagement and co-production from the very start to the end so that all community voices are heard (this includes young people)!
• Value young people’s skills and characteristics rather than just qualifications. Being involved in youth work provides incredible skills and opportunities but it is not always valued the same as a qualification that is inaccessible for many populations/communities.

We need more youth services to help improve employments rates and young people’s mental health. Unfortunately, a lot of areas are cutting youth services but by doing this you are taking away an opportunity that could potentially change a young person’s life. Whether they gain confidence, find an inner passion, gain a trusted person to talk to or feel united within their community, youth services offer so much!

I am worried about the effects this will have on current and future generations as well as having a higher cost to society in the long run because youth services have been shown to reduce mental illness, loneliness and can signpost so we can prevent rather than cure problems.

Young Minds is encouraging everyone to wear something yellow for the day to help raise money and show young people are not alone with their mental health. You can show your support and find out more information on the Young Minds page.