BB leaders tell us that they are increasingly becoming aware of mental health issues in the young people they work with.

Here are some facts:
– Roughly 725,000 people in the UK suffer from eating disorders, 86% of these will have shown symptoms before the age of 19.
– One in 10 young people deliberately harm themselves regularly (and 15,000 of them are hospitalised each year because of this)
– Nearly 80,000 children and young people suffer from severe depression
– Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14.
– 45% of children in care have a mental health disorder – these are some of the most vulnerable people in our society
– Nearly 300,000 young people in Britain have an anxiety disorder

It has been decided to run a series of free conferences next year to raise awareness these issues and how we can help young people who are suffering or vulnerable.

The conferences will help promote and sign post other organisations and agencies and highlight partnership working. Key speakers in various fields connected to mental health are being invited along and there will be many other partners and organisations in attendance.

Conference dates are:
16th January – Edinburgh
5th March – Belfast (leaders from RoI are warmly welcomed to this event)
16th April – Nottingham
30th April – Hemel Hempstead

Please visit the events page for information on how to book your spot boys-brigade.org.uk/events/