Students encouraged to ‘Talk out Loud’ on Northamptonshire Mental Health Awareness Day

A recent survey undertaken by the Northamtonshire Talk Out Programme amongst over 700 young people in Northamptonshire has identified that 52% of young people in Northamptonshire are less happy than they were 12 months ago. It also identified that 61% of young people have experienced anxiety, with school (71%) & friendships (49%) and home-life (37%) being the most contributing factors.

To help young people start a conversation about mental health, a county-wide event takes place Friday 15 February 2019. As part of the NHS and Northamptonshire County Council Talk out Loud Programme; Northamptonshire schools will be taking part in mental health awareness day, to raise awareness of mental health in lots of interesting, fun and inclusive ways.

The annual event (now in its seventh year) has a TALK OUT LOUD theme – encouraging young people to talk about their own mental health and support those around them if they think they need help.

Richard Bailey, from the Northamptonshire Clinical Commissioning Groups, said “Our findings show that young people are struggling with many pressures at home, at school and with friendships / relationships, and these are having a real impact on their mental health and well-being. Whilst we are encouraged that young people are much more comfortable talking to someone about their mental health, we know that stigma around mental health still exists – we need to carry on the conversation to ensure that all young people get help and support when they need it.”

In the lead-up to the day, schools have been provided with resources to use on the day and at 12 midday more than 100 schools across the county will be involved in a balloon launch or a bubblethon to demonstrate their commitment to raising awareness of mental health.

A short film looking at anxiety has been produced, that will be shown in secondary school assemblies – click here to take a look.

Other activities such as a mufti day and themed mental health awareness assemblies, are also taking place in primary and secondary schools across the county.

Northamptonshire libraries will have mental health themed displays and will be displaying Talk Out Loud materials leding up to, and on the day.

Jane Pitchfork, Commissioning Manager at Northamptonshire County Council said “We hope that Mental Health awareness day will present schools with an opportunity to TALK OUT LOUD about mental health. We have been really encouraged by the number of schools taking part in the day, committed to supporting young people with their mental health.”

Click here to access a copy of the survey results.

For further details about the Mental Health Stigma Programme contact:

Katharine Alsop

Talk Out Loud Programme

Tel: +44 (0) 7974 141266
Email: Katharine@factsolutions.co.uk