Listening to Young People to Shape the Future of Mental Health Support

YoungMinds

We spent a week inside the daily lives of young people across the UK, inviting them to share - honestly and in their own words - what’s driving the mental health pressures they face.

Through online self-ethnography tasks, one‑to‑one conversations and safe introduction calls, we created space for them to express what support really feels helpful, and what feels missing.

Their stories revealed deep frustrations with systems meant to help them, especially when discipline and mental‑health care collide, and a longing for spaces where they can just be themselves.

We brought their voices directly into YoungMinds’ strategy work, helping shape priorities for the next five years.

Impact:

Real insight from young people themselves - guiding YoungMinds toward a future where support is human, accessible and rooted in what young people actually need.