On 19th September 2025, Warwickshire’s young people took centre stage for Youth Mental Health Day, a national campaign led by the mental health charity stem4. This year’s theme, Share Support, encouraged communities to connect, share experiences, and use clinically informed mental health resources. In Warwickshire, the Youth Council led activities to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and link peers to vital support services, reflecting the growing demand for accessible care.
Recognised as a child-friendly county, Warwickshire continues to prioritise young people’s voices on issues that matter to them. The Youth Council, a group of young advocates, has placed mental health at the forefront of its work and shown how youth-led initiatives can drive meaningful change.
Their efforts included recording an episode of the Let’s Talk Warwickshire: Voices of Tomorrow podcast with professionals from Warwickshire County Council and Coventry and Warwickshire RISE, a mental health service for children and young people. The discussion offered advice, encouragement, and guidance to resources, stressing the importance of open conversations that help young people feel understood.
To mark the day, the Youth Council also produced a short social media reel. In it, young people reflected on what support means to them, encouraging peers to reach out, listen, and show kindness. The aim was to spark conversations and reduce stigma for those hesitant to seek help.
Warwickshire County Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko, portfolio holder for social care and health, said: “It is so important to ensure young people have access to mental health support and feel able to talk to each other and people they trust about their worries and concerns. This helps them to build resilience and find ways to manage their mental health needs. We want young people to know they’re not alone. Support is available in schools, online, and within the community. Taking small steps, whether that’s talking to someone, taking breaks, or finding healthy ways to cope with stress, can make a big difference.”
The urgency of these efforts is underscored by recent data. A 2025 NHS survey found that one in four young people in England aged 8 to 25 have a probable mental health condition, with rates higher among young women than young men. In Warwickshire, the County Council has reported an increase in staff absences linked to mental health, reflecting wider pressures. Nationally, nearly one million children and young people were referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in 2022–23, with 270,300 still waiting for support, according to the Children’s Commissioner for England.
Warwickshire provides a range of services to support young people’s mental health, including Warwickshire RISE Service, Kooth, Childline, YoungMinds, school-based support such as pastoral leads and counsellors, and wider family and wellbeing services from Warwickshire County Council.
The Youth Council’s work complements stem4’s call to action for Youth Mental Health Day 2025, which promotes evidence-based tools such as the Clear Fear, Worth Warrior, and Calm Harm apps to help manage anxiety, stress, and self-harm. By championing open dialogue and signposting accessible resources, Warwickshire’s young people are ensuring that no one feels alone in their struggles.
