Raising Awareness for Youth Mental Health with BBC Children in Need 🎒 This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, we're spotlighting BBC Children in Need's latest initiative, "The Heaviest Backpack," which addresses the growing mental health challenges faced by young people in the UK. Key Findings: 🔹 1 in 5 Children: Now face a mental health issue in the UK. 🔹 Survey Insights: A Censuswide survey reveals that over a quarter (27%) of children and young people regularly feel anxious and worried. Additionally, 44% compare the weight of their worries to books, while 16% liken it to carrying bricks. Top Causes of Worry: 1. Doing well at school/college/university: 37% 2. Losing someone they love: 30% 3. Appearance/body image: 30% 4. Achieving their goals: 27% 5. Fitting in: 27% Communication Gaps: 🔹 11% of children last talked about their mental health or worries with someone a month ago, 8% said it had been 2-5 months, and 7% reported 6-11 months. Future Concerns: 🔹 Nearly a quarter (24%) regularly feel worried about their future, yet over half (60%) said that being happy is most important for their future. Economic Impact: 🔹 52% of parents believe that children from affluent households carry fewer worries than those from struggling households. This campaign aims to spark a nationwide conversation about the importance of positive relationships in protecting children's mental health. It's crucial to recognise and address these issues, helping to lift the heavy burdens our youth carry. 🌟 Join us in supporting this vital cause and making mental health more visible. #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #TheHeaviestBackpack #YouthMentalHealth #thymia #BBCChildrenInNeed
Some children walk around with the weight of the world on their shoulders. That’s why BBC Children in Need are launching ‘The Heaviest Backpack’ to show that these burdens, whether it’s anxiety or problems at home, can weigh children down and follow them everywhere. The campaign aims to raise awareness and deliver resources to help parents and other trusted adults relieve some of the burden for these children, and open up a nationwide conversation around children’s mental health. Find out more about the campaign at bbc.co.uk/cin 💛 #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #cinbackpack #childreninneed #mentalhealth #MHAW