PULSE
MAKING AN IMPACT...
YOUNG PEOPLE’S
Dr Emily Marchant was shortlisted for the ESRC’s Celebrating Impact Prize for her pioneering research into child mental health
IN RESPONSE TO THE INCREASE IN ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE OVER THE LAST DECADE, OUR MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH IS TRANSFORMING THE UNDERSTANDING, CARE AND OUTCOMES OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH POOR MENTAL HEALTH
Our work on young people’s mental health is developed in partnership with young people and our research rapidly translated into policy and practice including resources for schools and youth workers and guidance for practice. With over £3million in funding over the last five years, we lead the Adolescent Mental Health Data Platform and the Data Science theme of the Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health. One study led by Professor Ann John highlighted the importance of integrated school-based and healthcare strategies to support young peoples’ engagement with education. Children with poor mental health, who are neurodiverse or who self-harm often struggle at school. Absences and exclusions may provide a useful tool to identify those who require additional support. Early intervention will not only reduce immediate distress and difficulties for the young person but may also interrupt poor life trajectories and improve outcomes in later life.
PROFESSOR ANN JOHN Research focuses on young people’s mental health
“The time between the ages of 11 and 24 is a period of huge change and with that change can come quite unsettling feelings and emotions that are part of normal human experience. One of the most unsettling times is around exam results and what that can do is make you feel really anxious. Anxiety can present in all sorts of ways. Some people are quite aware that they’re feeling anxious - for example if their heart beats a bit faster - but anxiety can also feel like a knot in your stomach or a lump in your throat and those feelings are almost a human response to what you’re experiencing as a threat, which goes back to quite a primitive ‘fight or flight’ idea. Often these feelings will just pass but if you’re finding that they’re keeping you up at night or you’re worrying, or it’s affecting if you want to see your friends - that’s when anxiety is getting too much. One of the things you can do is distract yourself - try breathing in and out slowly, make a playlist or do something physical like going for a walk, talking with friends or mindful activities like colouring. The important thing to remember is that all things pass. If you’re worried about your grades or choices, give us a call as we have people here to help you. Just talking your options through can really help to clear your mind.”
“Half of all mental health problems are established by the age of 14, and three quarters by age 24” Professor Ann John
Post-pandemic, education leaders have also been urged to prioritise social interaction for children of all ages following surveys led by researchers from the National Centre for Population Health & Wellbeing Research. Whilst they may have been seen as the ones least vulnerable to transmission and the negative health impacts of Covid-19, pandemic restrictions disrupted young people’s
education, physical activity and opportunities to socialise. Dr Michaela James, from the Centre, added: It is important that education settings recognise the importance of the wellbeing of their students and prioritise their wants and needs rather than focussing on education ‘catch up’ and assessment pressure.
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