Mental health charities join forces to tackle surge in demand for services

Charities The Mix, Young Minds and Shout 85258 have each reported a huge spike in demand for counselling services and mental health support since lockdown restrictions were imposed on 24 March.

Shout 85258’s trained crisis volunteers have carried out extra 8,500 text conversations with young people and more than half (56 per cent) of service users listed anxiety as an issue they were facing. Another common theme which emerged from sessions was a lack of routine and feeling trapped, the charity said.

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The Mix hosted 389 counselling sessions in April, compared with 127 in the same month last year, while 275,000 young people logged on to Young Minds' “Find Help” pages on the charity's website throughout April.

In the face of increasing demand for services the three organisations have joined together to create new digital platform One Space.

One Space offers direct access to the organisations' combined resources for young people aged 13 to 25 from one webpage. 

It also gives one-click access to immediate one-to-one support by phone and text, webchat and peer support. It is supported by a 24/7 crisis text support service, available for free by texting OneSpace to 85258.

Victoria Hornby, chief executive of Shout 85258 said the service aims “to reach as many young people as possible who might be struggling and feeling isolated and alone”. 

Chris Martin, chief executive at The Mix added: "Covid-19 has been cataclysmic for young people. They are the silent victims of the pandemic. Every day, The Mix sees challenges to young people’s mental health driven by fears around their education, finances and domestic violence.

"With so many traditional sources of support no longer available, digital services have played a life-saving role in supporting young people.

"One Space brings together three incredible charities under a single brand to provide a crucial, accessible route online for any young person to access the essential support and information they need guided by their own need and preference." 

Emma Thomas, chief executive at Young Minds, said: “The impacts of Covid-19 have been felt across society and many young people have struggled to adjust to the changes that have come about in the past few months. Whether that’s because they miss friends, are struggling to manage without the structure of school or work, or have lost their coping mechanisms or professional support, the crisis has put added pressure and anxiety on many young people. We know that our services are needed more than ever before and it is vitally important to work with partners to reach as many young people as possible.”