World Mental Health Day

"Mental health is at the forefront of my mind day-to-day due to my job as the Counselling Project Lead for Young People at METRO Charity. This World Mental Health Day, provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our own mental health, and ways of improving it. This year, the theme is ‘Make mental health & wellbeing a global priority for all’."

"I work with young LGBTQ+ people who are struggling with stigma, discrimination and a lack of support. When they first come to see me, their mental health is poor and they experience feelings of anxiety, isolation and depression. At METRO, we provide a safe therapeutic space for our young people, prioritising their mental health and wellbeing and looking at ways they can embrace their identity and look after themselves. We make our counselling service accessible for clients by providing online Zoom sessions for young people as well as face-to-face options. In our online sessions, connecting with our young people has been of upmost importance, and we often use online resources to draw, play and talk through difficult emotions. Offering online counselling was particularly important for isolated young people during the COVID-19 lockdowns, but continues to be vital for the mental health of young people who are unable to come in to see us face-to-face.

"On a global level, studies have shown that LGBTQ+ young people are at more risk of suicidal behaviour and self-harm than those outside of the community. Black people are still four times more likely than their White counterparts to be sectioned. People living with severe mental illness still have a shorter life expectancy than others. And the cost-of-living crisis in the UK is affecting thousands of people across the country and having a negative impact on mental health.

"It seems then that World Mental Health day has come at a crucial time for many people who are struggling right now. It is important that we continue to raise awareness about mental health around the world and to mobilise efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues. We pledge to continuing advocating for better mental health and wellbeing services for our communities, and our service users."

Jessica Russell, Counselling Project Lead for Young People.