The Mind the Gap project had two stages. Initial research was carried out by 11 school-aged volunteers who had been given an understanding of research skills and the means to present their findings in a creative, visual way. The second stage was the Knowledge Cafe, a one-day event held earlier this year, attended by 62 young people and 31 health and community professionals from 15 organisations, including Connexions West London, Hounslow Police and local health trusts.
Stressed out
The findings are a wake-up call for everyone working with young people.
Professionals tend to see health issues in terms of services they could provide to well-defined categories of young people: those with mental health problems or learning difficulties, young people in care, drug and alcohol abuse or teenage pregnancy. Real life, say young people, is far more complicated. The biggest health concern wasn't alcohol or substance abuse, smoking or sexual health, but something that many community workers are all too familiar with: stress.
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