There are six potential Challenges for this year, and we want to hear from you about which Challenges you would be most interested in taking part in. Student voting is now open to determine which Challenges will run, and the top four winning Challenges from the vote will take place in June 2023.
2023 Mental Health
Mental Health
Removing Mental Health Help-Seeking Barriers for Children and Young People: Enhancing Understanding about Mental Health Difficulties and Accessing Support
Challenge Overview
Mental health difficulties affect all parts of society and given the impact of the recent Covid pandemic alongside the worsening ‘cost of living’ crisis, prevalence is likely to increase. However, whilst having potential to have an impact on us all, children and young people are increasingly affected with 50% of mental health problems established by the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 24. 20% of children and young people may experience a mental health problem in any given year, so it is concerning that 70% do not receive an evidence-based psychological intervention at an early age. Reasons why young people may not access treatment include difficulties getting a referral, family circumstances such as living in rural areas or loss of wages, negative attitudes towards services and treatment and poor understanding of mental health problems or ways to access support.
This Grand Challenge focuses on how to improve young people's (including students) understanding of mental health problems and to address any barriers to accessing support they may face. Given the significant impact that stigma may have on help-seeking, thinking outside the box is positively encouraged. Student projects created during the programme have potential to inform local, regional and national initiatives in this area at the level of the school or University. If you have an interest in mental health, working with children or young people, education or simply an ability to think outside the box this Grand Challenge is the one for you. We look forward to working with you.
This challenge would run on Streatham Campus.
Enquiry groups will be confirmed closer to the time.
