Four famous individuals have joined forces to lead a campaign focused on enhancing the mental well-being of children. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Dan Walker, Jon Richardson, and Lucy Beaumont have launched Bright Young Dreams, based in Sheffield. Their objective is to raise £5m by 2024 to support the identification and treatment of children with mental health conditions. The World Health Organization reports that one in seven individuals aged 10 to 19 worldwide experiences a mental health disorder, with suicide ranking as the fourth leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 29. Walker emphasized that the celebrities have been meeting regularly over the past year to explore ways to improve services, not only in Sheffield but throughout the entire United Kingdom. He acknowledged the difficulty many young people face in discussing mental health and highlighted the scarcity of available facilities. Walker expressed understanding towards parents who may feel overwhelmed. He explained that society has become less inclined to engage in meaningful conversations, contributing to the issue. Richardson and Dame Jessica visited the Becton Centre for Children and Young People in Sheffield, where they praised the staff but noted the insufficient number of similar establishments. The campaign aims to support the Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, the Children's Hospital Charity, and children worldwide. Dame Jessica, a patron at Sheffield Children's Hospital, emphasized the importance of shedding light on mental health. She expressed a desire to create a more welcoming environment at Sheffield Children's Hospital and provide assistance to the staff who work with children in mental health units. Dame Jessica also mentioned that, in her experience, more children are grappling with mental health issues following the Covid-19 pandemic. Even at a young age, her own children, who attend primary school, receive messages from the school regarding mental health and anxiety among their peers.
0 Comments