The pre-existing pressures of living in densely populated Tower Hamlets has since been made worse post-pandemic. Not only for adults but also for our youth. Our charity identified Tower Hamlets as being the most in need borough for our workshops, since reading the ‘Tower Hamlets 2017 report on Children and Young People’ and finding out that 42 per cent of children live in poverty (the highest in the country). Poverty and mental health have direct links therefore our work in TBTH is crucial in reducing mental health illness and bettering the future of children living in this borough. Workshops focus on 7 topics; depression, anxiety, exam stress, eating disorders, healthy lifestyles, confidentiality and friendships. Each topic includes pre-recorded videos from doctors who give professional advice on what each condition is about. The workshops we deliver aim to equip young people with self-help tips on mental health, to live healthier lives, and play a positive part in wider society.

What we'll deliver:

• 60 minute workshop to each school year group in Tower Hamlets
• Facilitators trained to deliver an engaging and interactive workshop
• Expert advice from GP's and case study from a young person
• Educate on depression, anxiety, exam stress, healthy lifestyles, confidentiality, friendships and eating disorders
• Where to get support

Why it's a great idea:

The benefits of this educational workshop is vast from direct individual benefit to positive implications to the local community in Tower Hamlets as well as the wider society. Workshops will empower and create self-sufficient young people. Educating students on mental health will allow us to guide them in the right direction for when they may need to seek help, or when help is not there - how to support themselves. Workshops stress the importance of friendships and communication in building up confidence and social circles through activities we conduct during the program. It can even increase the performance and productivity of students. This project will also have a wide range of positive consequences to local communities, both direct and indirect. From reducing antisocial behaviour, cleaner neighbourhoods, reducing the strain on the NHS and the emergency services.

Steps to get it done:

• Organise dates with multiple schools to deliver workshops
• Workshop facilitators trained and ready to deliver
• Student and teacher feedback compiled and data analysed
• Collaborate with local councils and schools to deliver future workshop

Our pilot scheme before the pandemic was well received and proved a success, we have also grown our social media following base since. This proves there is still a need to continue this work and educate more school students by reaching out further. We now aim to focus more intensely on schools within Tower Hamlets. This is a borough that is densely populated and diverse, where class sizes in school are large. Thus, delivering mental health workshops will have maximum effectiveness. We believe the youth of Tower Hamlets as well as the borough itself can benefit from the positive implications of better mental health awareness.