“How can youth and schools workers support young people to find healthy community?" is the question we are reflecting on in this mental health awareness week.
Community is so important, and it is reasonable to assert that we, the UK public are broadly aware, and accept, that there is a crisis of mental health in the UK. As such, there is often a lot of discourse in the media and public debating why mental health issues have increased over the past few years and how we – as a society – can help treat and support people with mental health issues. The debate is wide ranging, with many different strong-held opinions and feelings on the causes and possibles solutions. However, most people recognise the vital role of community in supporting those with mental health challenges and preventing the onset of mental health disorders. This year, Mental Health Awareness Week is acknowledging and celebrating the importance of community.
Healthy community can provide people with a sense of belonging, safety and support and research has shown that people who are connected to community are happier, physically healthier and live longer [1]. Most of us accept that community is important, but many are left with question: how do I build healthy community?
While this blog cannot fully answer such a complex question, at acet UK we recognise the importance of healthy relationships—where individuals feel safe, respected, cared for, and able to be honest and vulnerable—as the foundation of strong communities. Young people are in particular need of supportive community as they move through adolescence, with trusted adults and friends who they can be vulnerably themselves with. If you're reflecting on how to better support young people in your work, we hope this blog offers useful ideas and inspiration.
At acet UK, we aim to equip the young people we work with the skills and knowledge that can be building blocks for healthy relationships through our Esteem programme that is taught in UK schools. Esteem lessons cover a range of topics related to RSE (relationships and sex education) including self-esteem, body image, consent, healthy relationships and emotional wellbeing. These lessons aim to help equip young people with the skills and information to think critically about the world around them, understand how they can protect themselves, create healthy boundaries and encourage them to make positive choices in their relationship with themselves and other people.
We believe that both the content of our teaching and the way it is delivered are of importance. Our school workers aim to create safe, supportive environments where young people feel comfortable asking questions and engaging. Each session begins with a group agreement that encourages participation while setting clear behavioural boundaries, helping establish a positive relational tone from the outset. Our lessons are also largely activity based, giving young people opportunities to ask questions, develop their own ideas and share their thoughts with each other and the facilitator.
Esteem lessons are not intended to be the sole source of support or education on healthy relationships, but rather a tool to empower young people to reflect on their choices and continue conversations with trusted adults and peers beyond the session.
If you work with young people and are interested in facilitating sessions on topics mentioned in this blog, the acet UK website has resources you can download and purchase that can support this work. We also offer and accredited training course that equips participants to deliver RSE sessions and give you full access to additional resources and lesson plans.
If you work in a school or provide youth work services, our schools workers are also happy to deliver sessions to your young people. You can find out more about the work we do in schools here.
References:
[1] https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week
Cover image from Madison Inouye