Sport and Youth Mental Health Project

Approximately 36,000 young people, aged 5-18 years old, in Essex are experiencing low levels of emotional wellbeing, with 1 in 5 having a mental health problem. Half of all adult mental health problems start by the age of 14, with a direct link between poor mental health and physical health.

This innovative and important project will create a large and proactive mental health support offer for children and young people aged 5 – 18 years across Essex, using the medium of sport and physical activity as a tool for engagement to improve children and young people’s mental wellbeing and resilience.

This project is supporting many locally trusted community-based organisations across Essex, Southend and Thurrock, who are engaging with young people experiencing poor emotional wellbeing to ensure they are achieving the best possible outcomes, in settings that are viewed as safe spaces by young people. This includes a comprehensive training offer to ensure these community-based organisations feel equipped to support the growing needs of young people with low levels of mental health.

Our long-term aim is to prevent children and young people from getting to the stage where they need to access prolonged clinical treatment for their mental health, as well as collaborating with the mental health services across Essex to support the growing demand on these services, and working as a system to ensure the mental health support of children and young people are being met.