Giving evidence at the Commons Women & Equalities Committee
26 June 2019
Following our submission of a written response to the Mental Health of Men and Boys Inquiry, London Youth was invited to give oral evidence to the Commons Women & Equalities Committee. Samuel Howell, our Policy Officer, presented the case for good youth work as a way to improve young men and boys’ mental health to the committee at Parliament on Wednesday 26th June.
This was the first time that London Youth has been invited to contribute evidence to a select committee. It was an excellent opportunity for us to make our case for a strong youth sector in London and positive opportunities for young people directly to politicians.
Our evidence
Watch the full evidence session here or below.
Samuel answered the committee’s questions and made the following key points:
- Young men and boys have told us that the issues that most adversely affect their mental health are: the cost of living, concern about safety and violence, and access to youth and mental health services. We think that a lack of positive opportunities and insufficient mental health support through a range of pathways are serious issues for the mental health of young men and boys.
- Our members have serious concerns about the mental health and wellbeing support available to young people in London, particularly through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
- Youth work is an effective and under-utilised way of broadening access to mental health support. Despite the Government’s welcome increased focus on young people’s mental health, youth and community organisations have not seen the same support as education-based mental health support.
- Programmes that young people enjoy, such as sports or cultural opportunities, are an incredibly effective means of outreach for and delivery of mental health support.
Our response
You can read our full response to the consultation by following the link below. Our thanks to St Michael & All Angels Steel Orchestra, Young Ealing Foundation, and Khulisa for contributing to our response.
