A young people’s mental health service based in Peckham is expanding into schools across Southwark.
Free service The Nest, based in their drop-in centre on Rye Lane, offer support packages to students, families and teachers, funded by Southwark Council and delivered by Groundwork London.
The theme for this years’ World Mental Health Day on October 10 was ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World.’ The Nest reflects this in the diversity of their service, with two in three of their referrals being for young Black and minority ethnic people since it launched in May last year.
The Nest’s service includes workshops, resource packs, summer programmes and webinars to raise awareness of mental health, help children as they undergo school transitions, and support young people at risk of or who have already been excluded from school.
Cllr Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “We know the wellbeing and mental health of a young person supports positive outcomes in all areas of life, from behaviour at school to performance at work.
“This World Mental Health Day is all about tackling the inequalities that have an impact on mental health.
“Now, through our Youth New Deal, we are further investing in early support by taking dedicated mental health practitioners directly into schools as we move towards educational recovery and bridging the attainment gap.”
As part of the Youth New Deal, the council has approved £200,000 to take The Nest’s service straight into schools.
Amid a record number of entries, The Nest was shortlisted in the Children’s Services category of the 2021 LGC Awards. The awards ceremony, which celebrates excellence in local government, will take place on 4 November 2021 when the winners will be announced.
Earlier this year, the council also approved £2m in funding and launched a dedicated task force responsible for working closely with schools to improve mental health and resilience in schools.
For more information about mental health support in Southwark for children and young people, call for free on 020 8138 1805 or visit www.thenestsouthwark.org.uk