Turning Awareness into Action
This Mental Health Awareness Week, don’t just be aware. Be part of it.
Right now, young people are telling us the same thing, again and again: Life feels stressful. Overwhelming. Constant.
And when things get tough, what they need most is simple: someone who will really listen.
That’s where Youth Talk comes in. Every week, we support over 120 young people with free, confidential counselling. And still, more are waiting.
Behind every number is a young person trying to cope. A family trying to understand. A friend, teacher or parent trying to help.
Introducing ‘All About You’
All About You is our Mental Health Awareness Week campaign to bring those stories to life – and to turn awareness into ‘action’.
Watch. Listen. Feel. Act.
At the heart of the campaign is our new hero film:
- Featuring young people supported by Youth Talk
- Filmed locally by students from the Brilliant Film Academy – it’s a great example of young people helping young people.
- Shown on the big screen at The Odyssey Cinema throughout Mental Health Awareness Week
This isn’t a polished advert. It’s honest, local and realIy shows the reality young people are facing and why your support matters now more than ever.
We can’t do this alone – It’s all about YOU
Why this matters now
Our 2026 Growing Up Survey shows the pressure young people are under is relentless with one in six saying life feels difficult right now.
The findings are being launched on Monday 11th May and paint a stark picture of growing up today showing that most won’t reach out for professional support first.
They turn to the people around them. Their friends, family and to their community
To people like YOU
Be the reason a young person is heard
Youth Talk is here so that no young person has to face things alone.
But we can only do that with your support.
A Super Busy Week!
Throughout the week, you may spot Youth Talk popping up across the area in some unexpected places.
Outside St Albans Town Hall, two birch trees will appear filled with messages, reflections and thoughts from young people, supporters and members of the community – creating a visible reminder that no young person should feel they have to struggle alone.
We’ll also be working with the University of Greenwich and students at Verulam School on a series of workshops exploring boys and young men’s mental health, helping shape future conversations and research around barriers to support.
Alongside this, we have our shiny new website being launched, we’ll be sharing stories, videos, insights and campaign content across social media all week. Everything is geared to helping keep young people’s mental health front and centre in our community.
Take action today
Donate today – help fund free, face-to-face counselling for young people who need it most.
Become a regular giver
A monthly gift means we can be there – not just today, but for the long term.
Share the campaign
Help more young people and the adults around them know that support exists. Please do all you can to share our posts and help spread the word – young people are relying on us.
It’s All About YOU
You can make a difference.
You can help us be there.
And for a young person struggling right now, that could change everything.