How the Active Essex Foundation's Sport and Youth Mental Health Project is empowering young minds across Essex

In Essex, approximately 36,000 young people aged 5-18 years are grappling with low levels of emotional wellbeing, with 1 in 5 facing mental health challenges in their adolescent years. These numbers highlight the urgent need for early intervention and change. Recognising the critical link between mental and physical health and the power of sport and physical activity, the Active Essex Foundation has embarked on an initiative called the ‘Sport and Youth Mental Health Project’, aimed at improving the mental wellbeing and resilience of children and young people through sport and physical activity.

This groundbreaking initiative seeks to create a comprehensive mental health support system for young people across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock. By leveraging the power of sport and physical activity, the project aims to engage young people and provide them with the tools and support they need to enhance their mental wellbeing.

The project collaborates with numerous locally trusted community-based organisations from across Essex, ensuring that young people experiencing poor emotional wellbeing receive the best possible support in environments they perceive as safe spaces. These organisations are equipped with comprehensive training and knowledge to help address the growing mental health needs of young people, ensuring they are well-prepared to offer effective and meaningful support.

Our mental health is a crucial aspect of overall wellbeing, and it is especially important during the formative years of childhood and adolescence. Research has shown that half of all reported adult mental health problems begin by the age of 14, highlighting the importance of early intervention and support by trusted organisations and support programmes. Poor mental health can have a direct impact on physical health, leading to a range of issues such as chronic illnesses and low self-esteem.

Sport and physical activity have long been recognised as powerful tools for improving mental health and wellbeing. Engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve our mood, and boost self-esteem. For young people, participation in sports can also provide a sense of belonging, improve social connections, and develop important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience.

One of the key strengths of the Active Essex Foundation is its connection to locally trusted organisations across Essex and its focus on community-based support. These organisations play a crucial role in engaging young people, providing them with the necessary resources and support to improve their mental wellbeing. Through this project the team are working with 24 locally trusted organisations including Project ME, Futures LTD, local youth clubs and Trust Links.

To ensure the effectiveness of this support, the project includes a comprehensive training offer for these organisations. This training equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to address the growing mental health needs of young people, ensuring they are well-prepared to offer effective and compassionate support.

The Active Essex Foundation recognises the importance of working collaboratively with mental health services across Essex. Examples of these services include Mental Health Support teams in schools, CAMHS, local MIND services and children and young people mental health practitioner roles in GP practices/PCNs. By partnering with these services, the project aims to support the growing demand for mental health support and alleviate the pressure on clinical services. This collaborative approach ensures that young people receive the appropriate level of support, whether it be through community-based interventions or more specialised clinical treatment.

The long-term goal of the project is to prevent young people from reaching a point where they require prolonged clinical treatment for their mental health issues. By providing early intervention and support, the project aims to improve the mental wellbeing of young people and reduce the need for more intensive clinical services.

The Active Essex Foundation's project is making a significant impact on the mental wellbeing of young people in Essex. Using the power of sport and physical activity, the project is helping young people build resilience, develop coping strategies, and improve their overall mental health. Through community-based support and collaboration with mental health services, the project is ensuring that young people receive the best possible care and support.

As the project continues to grow and evolve, the Active Essex Foundation remains committed to its mission of improving the mental wellbeing of young people. By contributing to a healthier and more resilient future generation, the Foundation is making a lasting difference to the lives of young people across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock.