Words by Smiley Team
Since Covid-19 created such a rupture in our lives, mental health has become an increasingly pressing issue, particularly for young people and children. But in these difficult times, the positive news is that there are plenty of people to turn to.
YoungMinds is among the organisations offering support to young people as well as parents, to develop strong wellbeing habits and overcome mental health issues. Their ambassadors lead the way in the public eye, sharing their experiences and beating the stigma that surrounds this challenge.
[Read more: How the 'hub of hope' helps people's mental health]
On Youth Mental Health Day, here are the dedicated individuals who have used their profiles to support the charity over recent years.
Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman became an ambassador for YoungMinds after years promoting young people’s mental health through her work. In particular she is passionate about girls’ mental health due to the disproportionate pressures they face - an issue she has blogged about.
YouTube sensation Daniel Howell made a massive leap for young people’s mental health when he shared his experience of depression to his following of 6.5 million. He joined YoungMinds as an ambassador to encourage others to open up about mental health.
Actor Ella Purnell (pictured) stars in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Churchill, and Army of the Dead. But she’s also a star for young people, hoping to beat the stigma around mental health issues after she experienced anxiety and depression as a teenager.
Body confidence influencer Jada Sezer does powerful work promoting good wellbeing in young people as well as women in her role as an ambassador for YoungMinds and UN Women UK. She hopes to tackle damaging media stereotypes and the societal perceptions these create.
TV presenter and Radio 1 dj Katie Thistleton became a YoungMinds ambassador because of her own mental health struggles as a young person. She’s also given advice to young people and children about how to support their mental health on BBC Bitesize.
Another media star supporting young people’s mental health is CBBC and Capital FM presenter Lauren Layfield. As someone who works with children and young people anyway, she is especially passionate about tackling mental health issues faced by this age group.
Journalist, radio and TV presenter Sean Fletcher was motivated to become a YoungMinds ambassador after his son shared his experiences of OCD in an interview. Sean decided to continue spreading awareness of his son’s condition along with advice as a parent.
Follow their steps and support young people’s mental health by visiting youngminds.org.uk/support-us.
