Young people in the UK are facing a growing mental health crisis. One in five, aged 8 to 25, has a probable mental health condition, with anxiety, depression, and self-harm on the rise. Young people are also experiencing long delays in accessing support. Over 78,000 waited more than a year for NHS mental health treatment in 2023–24. These statistics reveal a system under strain and a generation in need of urgent, compassionate support.
To tackle this crisis, we need to ensure young people can access timely mental health support, by funding early intervention services, reducing NHS waiting times, and creating safe spaces where young people feel heard and understood. Community support and awareness can make a vital difference, because no one should face mental health struggles alone. Off The Record offers free counselling sessions, to young people living in Havant and South East Hampshire, within just 8-12 weeks from referral.
Counselling offers young people a safe space to explore emotions and manage challenges like anxiety, low self-esteem, or life changes. It supports emotional wellbeing, builds coping skills, and boosts resilience. By developing self-awareness early on, counselling helps young people grow into confident, well-adjusted adults who are better prepared to face future personal, academic, and professional challenges.
With the help of grants like the one provided by The Pixel Fund, we are building a future where every young person in our community has access to the mental health support they deserve, free of barriers and stigma.