Mental health services launched for young people in Harrow
All services can be accessed online at https://youngharrowfoundation.org/HarrowMHP
Support is for children and young people aged 5 to 25, and ranges from counselling to art therapy and boxing to mentoring and much more to ensure Harrow young people have the space, skills, and confidence to share their voice and to ensure no young person feels alone or isolated about their mental health.
The partnership between CNWL NHS Foundation, Harrow Council and Young Harrow Foundation funds 17 voluntary and charitable organisations in Harrow and will be delivered in partnership with local primary and secondary schools, and a range of new community-based services. Parents, schools, GPs, and other professionals who work with children and young people can refer young people directly to support.
Cllr Hitesh Karia, Harrow Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:
"This is great news for our young people who will benefit from a wide range of free services that offer specialist targeted emotional and wellbeing support. Most of these will be delivered through schools. We know young people are struggling emotionally and have been for some time, this new programme will help reach those most in need before they hit crisis point."
Dan Burke, CEO of Young Harrow Foundation, said:
"Voluntary services in Harrow are already a life-line to so many young people. It's great that this funding will enable them to extend their reach and offer new and innovative services that will benefit so many more young people over the next year - when they need it most.”
The HAY Harrow Report 2021, which looked at 6,000 young people's view on their physical and emotional well being, cited mental health as one of young people's big areas of worry. In particular it found:
- 65% of young people said they ‘’sometimes” or “often” feel depressed or anxious
- Nearly 30% of KS4&5 “often” feel nervous or anxious and 24% of them “often” feel depressed
- Half of young people agreed that they could cope when life gets tricky
For enquiries, contact: Ceri Morris, Young Harrow Foundation, ceri.morris@youngharrow.org
The organisations receiving funding include:
The Josh Hanson Charitable Trust
Mental Health Support Teams in School (CNWL)
