Things need to change

The wonderful team youngmindsuk shared figures stating that between June and April 2021 there was a 134% increase in referrals to mental health services for children and young people across the UK. As an organisation born and raised in Belfast, our thoughts turn to Northern Ireland as we recognise that rates of anxiety and depression are around 25% higher in the child and youth population here compared to other UK nations (HSCB, 2020).

It’s uncomfortable to see these statistics time and again for our wee country. When faced with this information, we want to know why, and we want to know how to fix it. There is no singular answer. A melting pot of limited services, funding restrictions, and high population density all play out alongside the unique reality that we are a nation recovering from years of collective trauma. With those factors in mind, the current global pandemic only exacerbates problems that have been brewing for generations.

In moments like these I am drawn back to this truth, ‘The more you know, the more you can help.’ Growing in knowledge and experience transforms our interactions with children and young people. This is why I’m so passionate about what we’re doing at Eden Consultancy. Through the training we deliver, we are honoured to witness realtime improvements in schools, organisations and families. That’s what keeps us going. Change is brewing and I am constantly encouraged by the organisations and individuals doing everything they can to help make a difference. Each step into more triggers a ripple effect that I hope will continue to impact this country for years to come.