Why YoungMinds is needed:

It takes courage to ask for help. But for many young people who do, the support they need just isn’t there. Hundreds of thousands of young people are struggling with their mental health, but too many are being told to wait, struggling to cope and hitting a crisis point before they get help.

But things can get better. And YoungMinds is leading the movement for change.

YoungMinds provides young people with the tools to look after their mental health. Adults are empowered to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. And YoungMinds gives young people the space and confidence to get their voices heard and change the world we live in.

Together, we can create a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health.

Purpose of YoungMinds: To stop young people’s mental health reaching crisis point.
Every young person whose mental health ends up in crisis is a young person who has been failed. The earlier young people can access the right help, the more likely it is that they avoid reaching crisis point.

Vision of YoungMinds: A world where no young person feels alone with their mental health.
To see a world where every young person who is struggling feels able to reach out and has people and services around them who can really help.

Mission of YoungMinds: To make sure all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
Whether they need a reassuring conversation, specialist mental health support, or simply the knowledge that they are not alone in how they are feeling, we will make sure that all young people get the right support as fast as possible.

The report You Matter: Our Strategy for 2020-2025 produced by YoungMinds identifies three programmes in which the charity is engaged.

Programme 1: Never alone
This is to help young people to look after their own mental health by providing advice and support digitally via the YoungMinds website. When a young person goes to the website, they will no longer feel alone. They will find information and advice that speaks to them on their level.
Goal: Young people are more able to look after themselves.

Programme 2: Someone to turn to
This to try to ensure young people have adults around them who can really help. Through a programme of information, support and training, adults will be able to offer that crucial, early mental health response that young people need from them. As a result, we can make sure all young people have someone to turn to.
Goal: The adults who young people turn to can recognise emerging needs and provide early support.

Programme 3: Powerful young voices
Building a youth-led movement to make sure support is there for anyone who needs it. YoungMinds plans to harness the creativity and energy of young people, driven by the urgency of their lived experience. Training and support will be provided building their confidence and skills to be agents of change.
Goals: Young people have better access to mental health services. Young people have a stronger voice in the things that impact their mental health.