Story: Angela Barrows
A group of young people from Burngreave have been learning about mental health and emotional wellbeing.
The “Right Here Sheffield Partnership”, including the Community Development Workers (Sheffield Health and Social Care) delivered a four-week Mental Health Awareness and Emotional Wellbeing workshop with the Yemeni Community Centre (YCA) to a group of twenty young people in March 2011. The project aims to use a community development approach to address the mental health needs of young people aged 16- 25. A major feature of the initiative is ensuring that young people have a say in the services that are developed for them. The work of the project is steered by a young people’s panel.
The group learned what mental health is, the stigma around mental health for young people, and what causes stress, depression and anxiety. The group explored how to look after their own mental health and wellbeing, where to go for help when things get too much and how to talk to peers who may be experiencing issues. The workshops were interactive and worked towards an ASDAN qualification. One participant said,
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the group activities and learning what is acceptable and not when dealing with mental issues.”
Later in the year, the project is due to launch two new group programmes, one aimed at helping young people understand – and find ways of dealing with – their anger and another aimed at supporting the emotional wellbeing of young unemployed people.
If your organisation works with groups of young people aged 16 -25 that may be interested in taking part in any of our activities please contact Right Here Sheffield on 268 9936/0.
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