THE NEED

600,000 YOUNG PEOPLE ARE CLASSED AS HAVING A DISABILITY

Many Young People are not able to move forward in life because they lack self-belief. The adversity they face creates additional barriers leaving them living marginalised lives. Whilst a young person without self-belief might currently take advantage of a programme or activity to fuel self-confidence, their experience will only ever be just an experience, as they will still lack self-belief. Lack of self-belief negatively impacts every area of a young person’s life.

These Young People need BRIT’s innovative and inclusive approach. The BRIT experience will help Young People build their self-belief, and subsequently, through connections to existing charity programmes, their self-confidence and self-worth, putting them into a positive place to move forward with their aspirations and take advantage of other opportunities.

BRIDGING THE MENTAL GAP

Young people who need help and support from mental health services can find themselves with no help and support at a time when they really need it. When they reach 16 or 17 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) support ends and they are too young for Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) which only start at 18.

If we do not assist with the psychological trauma in the early stages we risk losing the future potential of these Young People and, at worst increased mental health issues including, but not limited to, depression, self-harm and suicide. BRIT will help Young People facing Adversity in the acute phase of their psychological trauma by inspiring them to focus on what they can achieve by providing short bespoke residential courses on a range of topics designed to stimulate their interest.

MAKING ALL THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS

Currently no single charity provides introductions to other charities, activities, work-placements and educational courses for those Young People who are facing any journey of adversity. BRIT has taken the first step in championing charities and other resources by creating the BRIT Support Map and inviting charities to be represented on it.

In addition, no one organisation offers places to Young People with any life and/or adversity issues to access counselling at a residential themed activity centre with the additional opportunity to receive long-term counselling as they progress forward in their lives.

http://www.youngminds.org.uk/campaigns-policy