COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on young people’s mental health
🗣”We have seen a big rise in referrals to mental health services and, as this data shows, it’s clear they have been struggling to cope. The pandemic has had a huge impact on young people’s mental health, exacerbating existing pressures and creating new ones” – Emma Thomas, chief executive of the YoungMinds charity
New research carried out by the BBC into young people’s mental health services found that children and young people struggling with mental health problems during the pandemic are facing “agonisingly” long waits for treatment. In the past year, one in five children and adolescents have had to wait more than 12 weeks for care.
The article also shows that young people who were already experiencing inequalities before the pandemic have been disproportionately affected. Anecdotally, our sailing staff have also seen first-hand the impact the last 18 months has had on our young people’s mental health from those who have been able to benefit from a voyage with us since June. The positive impact our youth development work has on their mental health and wellbeing clearly demonstrates to us, that the demand for our life-changing voyages is now greater than ever.
Out on the open water, we empower young people to step out of their normal environment, free from the barriers they may face and to ‘sea beyond their horizon’.
Read the full article below. 👇
