The Isle of Wight Youth Trust is asking Islanders to #BanishtheBlues on 19th September for Youth Mental Health Day by not wearing blue and donating a pound.
The Isle of Wight Youth Trust is the Island’s largest independent charity providing counselling and wellbeing support to children and young people aged 4-25 on the Island.
1 in 6 need support with their mental health
NHS research shows that 1 in 6 children and young people need support with their mental health, that’s 5 children in a class of 30.
That represents 5,078 children and young people aged 4-25 living on the Isle of Wight.
More than 1,000 referrals in 2021
In 2021, the Isle of Wight Youth Trust received more than 1,000 referrals for children and young people needing to access their services – current referral rates are averaging at 82 per month.
Youth Trust CEO Jo Dare comments,
“Young Islander’s need the support of the Youth Trust now, more than ever before. With half of mental health problems established by the age of 14, and 75 per cent by the age of 25, it is essential children and young people get the right information and help earlier, when it is needed.”
Impact of Covid particularly significant
The events of the past two years have had an impact on all our lives, but for children and young people, the impact has been particularly significant.
The impact on their education, employment, relationships and wellbeing threatens to scar them for the rest of their lives.
Research conducted by the Youth Trust in 2021 found that nearly a third of young islanders who responded did not feel positive about their future, almost half reported feeling terribly alone and isolated, and over a third had deliberately hurt themselves.
If 1 in 6 IW residents donate £1 we could fund 1,000 support calls
Jo continues,
“It is important we get more people talking about mental health and we are committed to increasing access to support, earlier.
“On 19th September – Youth Mental Health Day – we are asking the Island community to come together to help raise vital funds for the Youth Trust by not wearing blue and donating a pound.
“If 1 in 6 people on the Island donate just £1 we could fund 1,000 support calls or provide six counselling sessions for 55 children and young people.”
How to take part
To take part, just avoid wearing blue on 19th September and donate a pound (or what you can) to The Isle of Wight Youth Trust, and post a photo on social media (don’t forget to tag @iowyouthtrust and use the hashtags #BanishtheBlues #Iam1in6).
Will you be the 1 in 6 who donates £1 to the Youth Trust to enable them to support the 1 in 6 children and young people on the Island that need their help?
News shared by Michelle on behalf of Isle of Wight Youth Trust. Ed
Image: Amir Hosseini under CC BY 2.0
