In a society where knowing our neighbours has become increasingly rare, we face a reality where community bonds are fragmenting while mental health challenges are on the rise – particularly among our children and young people. I have seen this first hand as chair of Anna Freud, a mental health charity for children and young people.
The late Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks beautifully defined community as a place "where they know my name and miss me when I'm not there." This simple but profound definition highlights what many young people are seeking today. While meaningful face-to-face interactions have declined in recent years, the value of genuine connection remains as important as ever for healthy development and wellbeing.
The statistics tell an important story. In 2023, one in five children and young people aged 8-25 had a probable mental disorder, a significant rise from one in eight in 2017. This represents a concerning shift in young people's wellbeing that requires our attention. In 2023, calls to Childline from children under 11 about loneliness had increased by 71% over five years, highlighting the importance of fostering meaningful connections for our youngest citizens.
The relationship between isolation and mental health works both ways: loneliness can affect mental health, and mental health challenges can make it harder to connect with others. Research shows that people who feel lonely are 2.25 times more likely to have been diagnosed with depression compared to those who don’t report feeling lonely. This dynamic is particularly important for young people during their formative years.
So, what can be done to reverse this trend and build the bonds of community?
Firstly, we need to recognise that supporting young people's mental health requires a collaborative approach, encapsulated in the old African proverb ‘it takes a village’. At Anna Freud, we have seen the power of bringing together key stakeholders – from families, schools and health visitors to government and local authorities – to develop community-centred approaches to wellbeing. This collaborative model is at the heart of initiatives like family hubs, which provide a single point of access for families to receive support from different services.
Secondly, we must prioritise early intervention. There are currently more than 60 early support hubs across England doing vital work, but access remains unequal. What makes these hubs effective is that they provide a range of services under one roof – from talking therapies and peer support to practical advice on housing, education and employment. This integrated model recognizes that mental health doesn't exist in isolation from other challenges young people face. The government's commitment to rolling out Young Futures hubs marks another promising step toward ensuring more children and young people receive timely mental health support. The economic case is compelling: it is approximately 100 times cheaper to treat a young person in the community than as an inpatient. These hubs represent a significant opportunity to reach young people who wouldn't otherwise seek help, particularly those from marginalized communities.
Thirdly, prevention can happen in our shared spaces and across our neighbourhoods. Community assets like parks, libraries, and sports centres aren't just amenities – they're vital infrastructure for mental wellbeing that can help prevent problems before they start. Crucially, schools and colleges should be a focal point for mental ill health prevention within our communities. They have a critical role to play in providing children and young people with powerful opportunities for social and emotional development alongside providing a sense of belonging.
Prevention and early intervention strategies, however, remain severely underfunded. In 2023, £239 billion was spent on healthcare, but only about £3.5bn on preventative public health measures, with mental health receiving just 3% of that £3.5bn. This is why Anna Freud is proud to be one of 31 organisations endorsing the Future Minds campaign, which is calling for a long-term commitment to increase local government funding to invest in prevention and early intervention.
The mental health landscape is challenging, but by working collaboratively and by focusing funding on community interventions, the opportunities are significant. By strengthening local connections and creating spaces where young people feel they belong, we can build effective support systems for mental wellbeing. Government policy can empower communities by providing the right resources and frameworks, which will also ease pressure on specialist mental health services for children and young people.
As we mark Mental Health Awareness Week, let's remember that community bonds are one of the best defences we can build against mental ill health. Strong community ties create environments where children feel secure, valued, and connected. By investing in these connections today, we're investing in the wellbeing of future generations. This requires coordinated action from government, schools, families, and civil society organisations working in partnership to create supportive environments. After all, a society is only as healthy as the communities that comprise it, and those communities are only as strong as the relationships they nurture.
