23 October 2008
Right Here, a new five-year initiative launched today by the Mental Health Foundation and Paul Hamlyn Foundation, aims to radically change the way the mental health of young people is promoted and protected across the UK.
With current approaches failing to tackle the problem of poor mental health among young people, Right Here seeks to introduce a fresh approach which concentrates on prevention rather than cure, and the promotion of good mental health for all young people.
Right Here is currently seeking applications from potential pilot sites, which are expected to be up and running in spring 2009. The initiative will select up to four sites to work with 16-25 year olds in the places and spaces they go, such as youth and leisure centres, schools and colleges and online forums. Each site will receive up to £200,000 in funding per year until 2013.
Applicants will be expected to show a commitment to promoting mental health to all young people, including excluded groups, and developing new ways of cross-sector working to protect and improve young people’s mental health. Applications from generic young people’s organisations are especially welcome, with partnership work between the statutory and voluntary sector being a key feature.
Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said:
“A young person’s mental wellbeing should be the core focus of the support we offer them. Without good mental health, it’s much harder to thrive in any area of life, whether that’s at work, socially or in education. We know that the transition period between 16 and 25 is uniquely – and increasingly – stressful but we are currently doing very little to make sure young people are supported along that journey, which is a real wasted opportunity to improve their future life chances.”
Traditionally, young people’s mental health needs have been seen as the responsibility of CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) or Adult Mental Health Services. Those in the transitional age group from 16-25 have often encountered particular difficulty bridging the gap between children’s and adult services. Adult Mental Health Services may not be equipped to provide the kind of support young people say they need.
Work by the Mental Health Foundation and others has shown that young people are much more likely to engage with non-specialist organisations that provide mental health support alongside that for other areas of life, such as housing, debt and sexual health. It’s this kind of approach that Right Here will support through the pilot sites, with the aim of producing a model of working that can be rolled out nationally.
Robert Dufton, Director of The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, said:
“We are delighted to be collaborating with the Mental Health Foundation on this vitally important and significant piece of work. Young people are increasingly portrayed in a negative light, but very little is being done to help them maintain good mental wellbeing in the face of modern life’s pressures. Right Here will show how all those working with young people can help them to look after their mental wellbeing, and lead fuller lives as a consequence.”
As well as pilot site applications, Right Here is also seeking young people to join the project’s Young People's Expert Advisory board. Carly Raby, Young People’s Participation Manager for the Right Here project, said:
“We can only hope to promote good mental health among young people successfully if we put their views at the heart of what we are doing. There is no point in putting money and effort into initiatives that young people find irrelevant or hard to access. We’re very keen to hear from young people between the ages of 16 and 25 from across the UK who’d like to join Right Here’s Young People's Expert Advisory Board and have a say in the Right Here Project.”
Young people interested in becoming a member of the Young People's Expert Advisory Board should visit www.right-here.org.uk/young-people for more details.
Applications from potential pilot sites should be made online at www.right-here.org.uk . Applicants can also call 020 7803 1181 for further information.
Notes to editors:
The Right Here website will be live from Monday 20 October 2008.
For more details please contact Simon Loveland on 020 7803 1130 or email sloveland@mhf.org.uk
The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services. www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Paul Hamlyn Foundation (PHF) is an independent grant making foundation that supports organisations working in education and learning, social justice and the arts in the UK, as well as a range of non-governmental organisations in India. Since its creation in 1987 by the publisher Paul Hamlyn, the foundation has given more than £105m in philanthropic gifts. Following Paul Hamlyn’s death in 2001, the foundation has continued to pursue his values, with a particular concern for young and disadvantaged people. In 2007/08 the foundation gave over £16m in support of work it sees as innovative and exemplary in helping people to realise their potential and improve their quality of life. www.phf.org.uk
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