A new campaign is being launched to encourage young people in Hertfordshire to ‘Just Talk’ about their mental health.
With one in 10 children aged 5 to 16 having a significant mental health problem, helping young people to open up and get support is vital.
Richard Roberts, Hertfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, explained: “Many young people fear judgement and embarrassment if they talk about mental health problems, but the fact is we all have mental health, like we have physical health.
“Through our ‘Just Talk’ campaign, we want young people, especially boys and young men, to know that it’s OK to not be OK and that sharing a problem with someone they trust is the first step to feeling better.”
Health, council and community and voluntary organisations from across Hertfordshire are working together to promote Just Talk and schools are holding Just Talk assemblies and lessons to normalise conversations about mental health.
“Young people have advised on the direction of the campaign from the start, helping to choose the Just Talk name and design the logo,” said Maria Nastri, child and adolescent mental health services transformation manager at Hertfordshire’s two NHS clinical commissioning groups.
In Hertfordshire, 10 to 25 year olds can log on for free online support and counselling at www.kooth.com and can find all kinds of advice and information at www.healthyyoungmindsinherts.org.uk
You can back the #JustTalk campaign by sharing messages using #JustTalk and posting short video messages online.
To watch more videos about the campaign, including Premier League footballers from Watford FC, two young Arsenal players, journalists, comedians and mental health campaigners, teenagers and youth workers, visit: www.healthyyoungmindsinherts.org.uk/justtalk
0 Comments