Wednesday 10th October is World Mental Health Day 2018. Why is this important to us at #Focus5?…
According to the World Health Organisation, half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14 with most cases going undetected and untreated. This can affect young people’s ability to fully access education or employment, and that’s where #Focus5comes in.
The World Health Organisation states that among adolescents, depression is the third leading cause of mental illness. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds. Harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs among adolescents is a major issue in many countries and eating disorders are also of concern.
Adolescence and the early years of adulthood are a time of great change and excitement for many, but for others the pressures involved can increase susceptibility to mental health disorders. Evidence is growing that promoting and protecting the health of young people brings benefits not just to them but also to economies and society, with healthy young adults able to make greater contributions to the workforce, their families and communities and society as a whole.
This is the essence of the #Focus5 project and our passionate team of Key Workers are supporting young people across the South West region to manage health problems and to function effectively in society by accessing employment or education.