- For:
- Schools,
- Community support,
- Youth workers
Do you work in the community?
Working with young people in the community can be a rewarding but challenging responsibility to take on.
We know that having trusted relationships with adults beyond school and family plays a positive and crucial role in the lives of young people, but you may feel under-equipped to address the mental health needs of the young people you work with.
In this guide, you will find practical information, resources and tips that give you the tools and confidence you need to support a young person with their mental health.
How we can help you support the young people you work with
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We have toolkits, webinars, tips, advice, activity sheets and much more that you can use to help you support the young people you are working with. Take a look at our wide range of resources to find out more.
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Hear from professionals and volunteers working across the mental health sector who have shared their real stories and experiences of supporting young people, including practical tips and advice.
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Keep yourself up to date with the latest resources and advice to be able to best support the mental health of the young people you work with. Learn more about how other adults support the young people they work with by signing up to our monthly e-newsletter.
Quick guides to mental health conditions in young people
Our quick guides to mental health conditions provide information and advice to help you understand the impact of these conditions on young people, as well as guidance on how you can support and signpost the young people you work with.
Bayo: mental health support for Black young people
We're helping to create a safe space for young Black people to find support, care and joy by teaming up with The Ubele Initiative, Mind and Best Beginnings to create Bayo. The word bayo comes from Yoruba and means “joy has found us”. We chose this as the name for this platform as we want it to be somewhere for Black young people to draw strength as well as get support.
Bayo provides access to a list of organisations that specifically support young Black people, including places that offer mental health support in their local community.
Spotlight stories
Take a look at our latest blogs from professionals and volunteers working with young people in the community, with tips and advice for supporting young people with their mental health.
Talking to young people about mental health: tips and advice for adults
As an adult working in the community, a young person could choose to open up to you about their mental health at any time. Our resources can help you prepare for these conversations and develop your skills in building supportive relationships with young people in which they feel comfortable and empowered to talk about the challenges they’re facing.
The benefits of trusted adult relationships for young people's mental health
We conducted collaborative research with adults that young people turn to for support. This research found a number of positive outcomes in relation to the impact their role can have in supporting young people in their community, including:
- mitigating the effects of abuse and trauma
- positive educational outcomes
- improved mental health and wellbeing
Take a deep dive into our report to discover the full extent of the impact your support can have on young people’s mental health.