What worries Hertfordshire’s young people?
To coincide with Just Talk Week 2023 (20-26 November), it’s important for all of us to feel able to help young people understand that their mental health is just as important as their physical health.
Hertfordshire’s Young People’s Health and Wellbeing 2022 Survey received more than 11,000 responses from 11-19 year olds, who said their top five worries were: schoolwork; their appearance; the future; their mental health and feeling lonely. Thousands of these young people said they would turn to their family and friends for help but would you know how to help them, if they told you they were struggling?
If a young person opened up to you, would you know how to help them?
Just Talk has some useful guidance on this tailored for children, young people, and adults, as well as lots of other useful emotional wellbeing self-help guidance, plus signposting to the many Hertfordshire services on hand to help children, young people and their parents and carers.
Studies show that 50% of all mental illness starting before the age of 14, and 75% of all mental illness beginning before the age of 24, so it’s really important to help children and young people look after their emotional wellbeing. Just Talk’s Five Ways to Wellbeing e-learning modules are a great place to start. Taking positive steps to improve their emotional wellbeing will help young people to feel empowered and more resilient, so they can cope better with life’s worries and challenges.
More about the Just Talk partners and their services
As part of their contribution to Just Talk Week The Ollie Foundation, an incredible partner of the Just Talk Network is running their ‘Keeping Safe and Carrying On’ session exploring how the brain processes emotions and tips to manage moments of overwhelm, stress and loneliness for teenagers. They run sessions and workshops, along with an array of other insightful events throughout the year.
Hertfordshire Mind Network, another one of Just Talk’s valued partners, highlighted what it means to be part of the programme:
‘We’re extremely passionate about the Just Talk campaign, it unites services providers supporting young people. The Just Talk website pulls together all the resources and services to help young people, parents/carers and professionals navigate finding support’.
Stay up to date by following @JustTalkHerts on Facebook, Instagram and X/twitter.
Further information
About Just Talk Herts
Just Talk is a multi-agency programme, coordinated by Hertfordshire County Council’s Public Health team. The programme is steered by children and young people, in partnership with over 40 professional organisations from the health, social care, education and voluntary sectors across Hertfordshire. It carries the important message that it’s ok to not be ok and there is help available for everyone who needs it. The Just Talk website serves as a hub of information and tools for young people, as well as parents, carers, and professionals - all with the common goal of enhancing the mental wellbeing of children and young people.
About Just Talk Week
Just Talk Week 20-26 November 2023
Kicking off its seventh annual campaign week on Monday 20 November, Just Talk is taking it ‘Back to Basics’ with a focus on ensuring that children and young people, parents/carers, schools, and professionals across Hertfordshire have clear information about the wide range of support available in Hertfordshire.
Throughout the week young people, along with parents, carers and professionals, are encouraged to tune in to Just Talk’s social media channels for lots of advice and resources to support mental wellbeing, and information about the incredible services offered by the Just Talk Partners. They will also be able to participate in activities held in many schools across Hertfordshire.
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