National Youth Homelessness Scheme

Emotional and mental well-being

Young people in supported housing are particularly vulnerable to emotional and mental health problems because they are likely to have had negative early experiences. They may have low confidence and self-esteem, anxiety, stress or relationship problems; others may experience more serious problems including depression, self-harm and eating disorders, schizophrenia or bi-polar disorders.

This module is concerned with promoting positive emotional and mental health and well-being. Issues around managing more complex mental health problems are dealt with in the module on complex needs.

There is a wide range of support and activities which can have a positive impact on emotional and mental health and this includes the quality of the physical environment and relationships with staff as well as specific health and well-being activities. Healthy eating and physical activity are also important and there is an overlap with these themes in this module.

It is important to include emotional and mental health needs in the support planning process and ensure that staff have access to information, training and support to give them a good understanding of emotional and mental health needs of young people and equip them with the skills to promote positive emotional health and tackle stigma as well as to identify when a young person needs support and/or referral to mental health services.

Strategies to positively promote good emotional (improved self esteem; positive views about the future etc.) and mental health include:

  • Activities to stimulate curiosity and prevent boredom, including trips to the cinema, concerts, physical exercise such as opportunities to play or go to the gym, swimming or ice skating
  • Activities to promote a sense of purpose and team work such as work on an allotment
  • Activities to increase self esteem such as drama workshops
  • Work to build emotional resilience and coping skills including stress management, assertiveness, self defence and anger management. Some organisations include these in a programme of life skills training
  • Enabling young people to access professional counselling
  • Group and individual work to prevent and respond to bullying and violent behaviour.

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