A conference has been informed that young people's mental health is being harmed by witnessing their parents' financial struggles.
Delegates in Reading brought up family finances as a major factor contributing to children's mental health problems.
The conference at the local university was organized by youth in cooperation with the mental health advocacy group Mind.
Children were "panicking," according to one of the organizers, Year 10 student Rose.
Children are witnessing their parents' anxiety, the Maiden Erlegh School student said. This is meant to be your hero, your role model.
They are skipping meals, as you can see. People continue to watch television and read the news, even in wealthy households. living expenses.
Young people are panicking as a result of what they are seeing. ".
It's very challenging to be a kid today, especially if you're watching your family struggle, according to Louis Headley from Mind in Berkshire.
Some people must decide between eating now and tomorrow. We have parents who skip meals. Being a young person and witnessing that can't be enjoyable.
"We shouldn't be evicting young people if they are aware of that, either. You can't simply swaddle them in cotton wool and expect them to behave themselves. ".
The second annual Youth in Mind Berkshire conference included over 20 young people in addition to health professionals.
They participated in workshops on subjects like finances, relationships, and body issues.
According to the nonprofit YoungMinds, referrals for young people's mental health have "exploded.".
According to data from the NHS, there were 1,425,193 referrals last year, up 76% from 2019.
