This event has been postponed

View all upcoming events at Kingston University.

Time: 6.30pm - 8.00pm
Venue: Clattern Lecture Theatre, Penrhyn Road campus, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2EE
Price: free

Please note this event is postponed - new date to be ascertained.

The School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences is proud to launch an exciting series of public lectures, workshops and panel discussions entitled Conversations about Mental Health and the World We Live In.

Together with a number of internationally renowned external speakers, national charity leaders, and experts by experience, mental health experts at Kingston University will engage in a series of discussions and workshops on the topic of mental ill health and wellness. 

The topics will range from understanding the causes and proposing solutions to the mental health crisis of our time, examining well-being of young people and carers, whether our modern-life work is detrimental to our well-being, how religious communities are engaging with the topic of mental ill health and the impact of the Brexit crisis on psychological well-being.

This Conversation is entitled Young people and mental health and will be chaired by Dr Delphine Theobald and Dr Nora Vyas, from the Department of Psychology.

Emerging evidence suggests that mental health is reaching crisis point for children and young people. According to Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, one in eight 5-19-year olds have a mental health diagnosis. The gradual and upward trajectory of prevalence of mental health conditions in 5 to 15 year olds is of concern owing to the NHS only be able to provide support for approximately one-third of individuals in need. Many young people seek help but failing to access the relevant services possibly owing to not knowing where to go for support. Over the last five years, the number of young people making A&E visits has almost doubled as a result of mental health issues. There is a critical need to provide young people with mental health conditions with the necessary support to reduce the burden on the A&E service and fast-track mental health provision for children and young people.

During the session, Dr Delphine Theobald and Dr Nora Vyas along with their guests will consider the current challenges in mental health provision and discuss possible explanations for this crisis, and what actions or initiatives are being taken to alleviate the issues. 

Guests on the panel will include: 

• Suzanne Cain, Service Manager, CAMHS Specialist services, Surrey and Borders Partnership
• Navjyot Dhanoa, Hope House, Surrey County Council
• Dr Liam Young, Associate Medical Director CYP CoP (CAMHS), Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Why is there a mental health crisis at the moment? According to a recent survey by ‘Young Minds' found:

• Two thirds of young people could not find support when they first needed it.
• 75% of young people agreed that they had had to manage their mental health on their own when they couldn't find help elsewhere but only 17% felt confident in their ability to do this.
• 71% of young people turned to their friends for help whilst waiting for mental health support
• 77% of young people said pressure to do well at school had had a significant effect on their mental health
• 69% of young people said worrying about how they look had had a significant effect on their mental health
• 90% of GPs agreed that they had seen a rise in the number of young people seeking support for their mental health in the last three years. 4% disagreed.
• Only 10% of GPs agreed that they usually felt confident that a referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) would result in treatment. More than three-quarters (76%) disagreed.
• Nearly half (47%) agreed that they sometimes acted above their level of competency when supporting young people with mental health problems. 28% disagree

During the session, we will provide an insight into the myths and facts about mental health in young people, outline the latest advances in our understanding of serious mental health difficulties and its emergence during adolescence, and discuss the current challenges faced by young people with mental health problems. 

Join us for this fascinating event, take part in discussing a topic relevant to us all, and see below for the rest of the events in this series. Audience participation will be encouraged!

Other events in the series (past and future):

• Thursday 17th October:  Explaining psychological distress and the mental health crisis of our times
• Thursday 28th November:  Caring for our carers 
• Wednesday 22nd January: Where do I belong? Identity caught between EU and Brexit
• Thursday 27th February: Religious communities and mental health - developing constructive, supportive responses 
• Thursday 23rd April: Right to disconnect from work - new horizons to improve our work-life balance 
• Thursday 21st May: What can be done to ameliorate the mental health crisis? 

For further information about this event:

Contact: Dr Delphine Theobald
Email: D.Theobald@kingston.ac.uk