Children’s Voices

Children’s Voices: A review of evidence on the subjective wellbeing of children with mental health needs in England (2017) is published by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner.

The document gives a range of children and young people’s views about how they view mental illness and their experiences of receiving a service. The evidence is drawn from a literature review rather than a specific piece of consultation work by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. It gives important messages on the negative views and stigma that young people perceive about having mental health problems. Young people are also very clear about the need to involve them in their treatment.

Young Minds – Amplified Project Report

As part of the Mental Health in Schools Project, Young Minds worked together with Healthy London Partnership to:

  • Collect existing pupil insights work from London schools around mental health and analyse these to identify key themes
  • Facilitate a workshop session to review these insights and develop a top ten summary of ways young people want schools to support their mental health

The top ten are here:

  1. Every pupil knows who is responsible for and can help with mental health issues
  2. Every adult n the school offers a good first response if I say or show I am struggling with my mental health
  3. Bullying is dealt with effectively
  4. Empower us to understand and take a role in caring for our mental health
  5. Extra support for pupils that are struggling
  6. Emotional and practical support during busy, stressful times
  7. A place to go on hard days
  8. Signposting to support in our area and beyond
  9. Pupil involvement in making the school more mentally healthy
  10. Recognising us as individuals

About Amplified

Amplified is an NHS England funded programme working to develop the participation of children, young people and their families at every level of the mental health system.