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Just one thing….
Simone Spray, CEO, 42nd Street

I think the most critical thing for impactful mental health and wellbeing support for young people  (and by that I mean 11-25 year olds) is choice. A lot of services for young people are still very clinical and are threshold and diagnosis driven, particularly as young people transition into adulthood. Also, and understandably with the limitations on resources and continued uncertainty, many are still dictated by efficiency rather than preparedness and resilience. All of which limits choice.

When money is limited, and people have to choose between whether to pay for their heating or food, it is often the case that they are going without other basic but essential items too, like shampoo, washing powder and period products. Not having access to period products can have an impact on mental health and wellbeing, and negatively affect overall self-confidence.

“The stigma around HIV can massively impact on those living with the virus. In the early 1980’s, there was a huge lack of understanding around what HIV was. There was no cure, no effective treatment and a lot of fear. Fast forward to 2021 and people with HIV can expect to live a normal life expectancy and are more likely to die from something other than HIV, but knowledge and understanding has not kept pace. These days, when taking effective treatment, the HIV virus becomes undetectable and can no longer be passed on to others.