Earlier this month, we were honoured to attend a powerful and inspiring event hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Youth Affairs. The session brought together policymakers, mental health leaders, and, most importantly, young people themselves to discuss how mental health care for children and young people can be improved.

Five young people, selected from a range of organisations, gave personal and insightful presentations. They shared their experiences of navigating mental health challenges and accessing support, and they spoke about the need for young voices to be at the heart of change. Their message was clear: mental health must be prioritised, and young people must be listened to, not just consulted, but truly heard.

The panel also brought together a powerful mix of voices from across government, health, and the voluntary sector, including:

• Natasha Irons MP, APPG Officer
• Dr Lauren Sullivan, MP for Gravesham
• Josh Dean, MP for Hertford and Stortford
• Baroness Anne Longfield, Executive Chair and Founder, Centre for Young Lives
• Amy Whitelock Gibbs, Chair, Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition
• Charlotte Kume-Holland, Deputy Director of Mental Health Strategy and Delivery, Department of Health and Social Care

Key Themes from the Panel

Tane, one of our mental health practitioners, attended the event and shares some of the key themes that emerged from the discussions:

1. Listening to Young People

Perhaps the most powerful moments came from the young people who spoke about their own journeys. Their stories were a reminder that behind every statistic is a real person navigating complex emotions. Their stories highlighted the importance of designing mental health support that is responsive, inclusive, and based on their own experiences.

2. Addressing the Root Causes

Panellists discussed the rise in mental health issues among young people, noting that this trend is occurring alongside increasing child poverty. As one speaker commented, “We need to be asking what the drivers are of what is going on”. Tackling youth mental health means addressing the broader social and economic conditions that shape young people’s lives.

3. Creative, Community-Based Support

Young people shared powerful testimonies about their experiences with mental health services. There was strong support for moving mental health care beyond clinical settings - whether through schools, youth clubs, or community organisations. The government’s proposal to expand social prescribing, where GPs refer young people to wellbeing activities, was also highlighted.

4. Collaboration Across Services

The panel emphasised the importance of services working together to support young people. Mental health care cannot exist in silos. Schools, health services, local authorities, and charities must collaborate to ensure that young people receive the right support at the right time.

5. A Long-Term Vision

The government’s upcoming 10-year health plan was discussed for tackling mental health. The Future Minds campaign is advocating for this plan to include sustained investment in youth mental health, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.

At Off the Record, we believe in Brilliant, Beautiful, and Better mental health for all young people. Events like this remind us why it’s so important to show up, to listen, to advocate, and to work together for change. Young people deserve support that meets them where they are, listens to their voices, and helps them thrive.

If you’d like to learn more about our work or get involved, read more and get in touch here.