Charities helped to tackle mental health challenges
SEVEN charities are to share almost £100,000 to boost community work tackling children’s mental health challenges.
The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System secured the cash – and now it will be shared among voluntary and community sector groups including Newcastle-based Healthworks and the YMCA in North Tyneside.
The funding will be used to encourage young people, their families and people from the region’s communities to take part in mental health research, seen as a “significant priority” for health bosses in our region.
The seven organisations chosen are: Healthworks, Newcastle; North Tyneside YMCA; New Beginnings North from Sunderland; Gateshead’s Young Women’s Outreach Project; the regionwide NE Youth; People First Independent Advocacy in Carlisle; and A Way Out in Stockton.
Integrated Care Board executive director of innovation Aejaz Zahid said: “Improving the mental health of our young people is a key priority for partner organisations across the North East and North Cumbria. It is essential to develop a deeper understanding of the root causes of rising mental health issues and evidence to develop effective services for our young people that are informed by their diverse lived experiences and thinking.”
“This funding has helped bring together these organisations which offer a range of approaches, strengths, and valuable connections with young people in their respective communities. Ensuring diverse participation from a wide range of young people is crucial to help us effectively develop action plans, whilst also sharing ideas and learning together to improve our collective approach of involving young people in research projects.”
Lisa Taylor, health and wellbeing programme director for Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East, said: “It is important and encouraging to see a range of organisations working towards involving children and young people in mental health research participation.”