MindMate News #2
This is the second publication of a regular bulletin bringing you news and up to date information about MindMate and young people’s mental health in Leeds.
A new fold-out MindMate leaflet aimed at young people aged 11 to 18 years old has just been launched.
If you work with young people in Leeds you can order free copies of the leaflet and the branded display box from the Public Health Resource Centre – order online here or via email phrc@leeds.gov.uk
The leaflet explains the different routes to accessing support including:
- Contacting a service without an adult needing to be involved (including Kooth and The Market Place),
- Getting support to find the right service (self-referral to the MindMate SPA and support via school/college)
- Getting help in a crisis
Each section links people to the relevant pages on the MindMate website for further info. It also sets out the warning signs that suggest a person might need extra support, and how parents/carers can access help.
The Wellbeing Club resource pack – available on request to organisations that work with young people from vic@leeds.gov.uk
Members of the Leeds Youth Council and the Leeds Members of Youth Parliament have been campaigning for better mental health support for their peers. They have attended Leeds City Council meetings such as the Children and Families Trust Board and Children & Families Scrutiny Board to share examples of how their emotional health has been impacted by the pandemic and the effect this has had on both their education and social lives. However, they also wanted to do something more hands-on to make a difference.
So in January 2021 they joined forces with young people from Together Leeds Youth / Street Games Yorkshire, a consortium of local youth and community groups and have been meeting fortnightly over Zoom to create a project called The Wellbeing Club.
They produced the Wellbeing Club pack to help schools and young groups run informal wellbeing sessions with the young people. There are 12 fun and engaging activities to choose from and a handy “how to” section to get you up and running.
Visit bit.ly/LeedsWellbeingClub to see the launch film from the young people who created this pack
MindMate Podcasts are now live
My name is Pratyasha and I am a MindMate Ambassador. Through my role, I have had a myriad of opportunities to play my part in improving mental health services for young people, from being a part of interview panels to taking part in projects that improve services for those from BAME backgrounds.
A huge part of my role is editing and uploading the podcasts that you see on the MindMate blogs and on SoundCloud. These podcasts cover various topics such as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people, colourism, EMDR therapy and many more. These topics are put forward and discussed by young people, sometimes also with the help of professionals, with the key motive being to allow the different voices, opinions and perspectives of young people to be heard.
Listen to MindMate podcasts here
Meet the MindMate Ambassador team here
New Wellbeing Leaflets
LCH have developed wellbeing booklets for children and young people across Leeds. These contain some basic self-care strategies to support their emotional literacy and wellbeing to support the impact that COVID 19 has had over the past 18 months. LCH are hoping to send out to all schools over the next few weeks so they can be sent home with pupils. A letter to parents will accompany the booklet. For more information contact lcht.mmsupportteam@nhs.net