YPMH: The Foundation For Young People's Mental Health

There are plenty of simple ways to build more movement into your day — and every bit counts for your mental wellbeing! Movement helps regulate stress, boosts mood-boosting chemicals and can even support better sleep and focus. You don’t need a full workout to feel the benefits — just a few small habits can make a real difference: 💪 Take a moment to stretch during downtime — between meetings, TV ad breaks, or while waiting for the kettle to boil. 🎧 Turn household activities like dusting or hoovering into active moments by adding your favourite playlist or podcast. 🚶♀️ Try simple swaps: take the stairs instead of the lift, or walk or cycle instead of driving or catching the bus. How will you move more this week? Learn more about how exercise supports mental wellbeing: https://lnkd.in/eRBEhpPe #youngpeoplesmentalhealth #YPMH

On World Mental Health Day, we are proud to announce a new project, ‘Accelerating and de-risking implementation of digital mental health innovations for young people’. Part of over £1.5 million awarded to 17 innovative health technology projects by NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research), IfM Engage are working with YPMH: The Foundation For Young People's Mental Health to determine whether a structured process can help schools and healthcare providers to successfully adopt new tools. Studies show that even effective tools can fail to become part of routine NHS practice, and schools frequently lack the change management methods and capabilities to implement digital innovations. The project will put research into practice, testing an implementation methodology developed by IfM Engage and YPMH. The aim is to improve young people’s access to timely support, streamline their experience across services and contribute to broader systems change. Find out more about the projects funded by NIHR: https://lnkd.in/efimEcKT Read how IfM Engage and YPMH are driving innovation into young people’s mental health: https://lnkd.in/esuj9swR Peter Templeton, Charlotte Catignani, Hannah Best #MentalHealth #YoungPeoplesMentalHealth #MentalHealthInnovation #WorldMentalHealthDay

Nearly 300 million people worldwide live with depression — and by 2030, the cost of mental ill-health is projected to reach $16 trillion. Yet prevention and early intervention remain overlooked, even as rates of depression and anxiety rise fastest among young people. Too often, systems respond only at crisis point, focusing on symptoms rather than root causes. At YPMH, we’re accelerating change by: - Connecting research across genetics, neuroscience and psychology to better understand how conditions develop. - Driving real-world implementation using proven approaches from technology and public health. - Turning evidence into innovation by co-developing tools with young people and families. - Championing prevention to reduce long-term impact and ease pressure on crisis services such as the NHS. Together with IfM Engage, we’ll be collaborating on a new project to test implementation methodology — aiming to improve young people’s access to timely support, streamline their experience across services, and contribute to broader systems change. 👉 To read more about the project, visit: https://lnkd.in/efimEcKT   #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealth #YoungPeople #Innovation

Who knew a Victoria sponge could change young people's mental health?   Hosting a bake sale can: 🧑🍳 Bring friends, family and colleagues together 💰 Raise funds for vital mental health projects 💙 Show support for young people   Whether your cakes are flawless and healthy or delightfully imperfect, your baked treats could cook up some cash! Set up a stall or deliver your goodies to friends and family and turn those sweet creations into donations 🍰 Get involved today: https://lnkd.in/g33MEBiV #YPMH #youngpeoplesmentalhealth

The latest craze — padel! All the influencers are playing, but is it worth it for your mental health? Evidence suggests playing padel can support mental health by: - Boosting mastery and self-esteem through learning a new sport - Providing sunlight and vitamin D, which support circadian rhythms - Encouraging social connection, reducing loneliness through team play - Offering general exercise benefits, improving mood, energy, and cognitive function   Rally your friends and grab a racket, and give your mental health a boost! 🎾 #mentalhealth #padel #YPMH

Have you been watching Strictly? 🪩 Well, put on your dancing shoes! 💃 Dancing can lift mood, strengthen relationships and boost confidence. You don’t need perfect steps — just move to your favourite music and enjoy the benefits. It helps by:  • Endorphins & mood: Physical movement releases feel-good chemicals that reduce stress • Cognitive benefits: Learning steps improves memory, coordination and focus • Social connection: Classes and group dances reduce loneliness and build friendships • Confidence & self-expression: Dancing encourages self-esteem and creativity No need to be a professional dancer — moving your body to music is enough to see mental health benefits. #dance #mentalhealth #exercise #BBCStrictly #YPMH

Eat seasonally this autumn! 🍁🎃   Did you know? Eating seasonally can offer your gut more benefits?   Plants picked in season are typically harvested at their peak, offering maximum nutrient density. Eating in-season foods means you’re more likely to get higher levels of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals — all of which support overall health and help nourish a healthy gut microbiome. #Autumn #FoodForMentalHealth #YPMH #MentalHealth

Join three leading Cambridge researchers for a free in-person event on the latest research into infants, children and young people (CYP). Discover how research is transforming the way we diagnose and treat health conditions that emerge in the early years, setting the stage for healthier outcomes throughout life. Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/gBJqmETV

5 ways you can support mental wellbeing through food Eating well isn’t just about physical health - it also supports mood, energy, and cognitive function. Here are 5 ways to support your family’s mental wellbeing through food: 1️⃣ Introduce changes gradually – Swap snacks or ingredients for brain- and mood-supporting options like fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and oily fish. 2️⃣ Prioritize variety – Eating a wide range of plant foods supports gut microbiome diversity, which is linked to better mood regulation. 3️⃣ Make meals enjoyable – Positive mealtimes reduce stress and encourage healthy eating habits. 4️⃣ Involve children in meal prep – Learning about food and cooking fosters autonomy and healthier relationships with food. 5️⃣ Plan for balance – Preparing meals ahead helps reduce reliance on ultra-processed foods, which can negatively impact mood and energy.   Small changes all add up to make a big difference! #FoodForThought #MentalHealth #YPMH

Maintaining good sleep health can be particularly challenging for young people, especially when life gets busy. However, sleep is often one of the first things we compromise, and its impact on overall wellbeing is significant. 💤 Why sleep is crucial: • Restores the mind: Sleep consolidates memory, making it easier to learn and retain new information • Regulates mood: A good night’s sleep reduces stress and improves mood, helping you start the day positively • Boosts concentration: Adequate sleep enhances focus and problem-solving skills, which are essential for work Quality sleep is a foundation for learning, building strong relationships, and supporting long-term mental health! #SleepHealth #StudentWellbeing #YoungPeoplesMentalHealth #MentalHealth