Mind Over Matter Programme

Aims

The aims of the programme, set out by our youth health steering group, are to:

• Improved knowledge of physical body & emotional literacy
• Decrease in young people participating in negative behaviours such as smoking, alcohol consumption or other substances (drugs)
• More young people taking part in the Power up Programme, resulting in a decrease of takeaways being consumed during drop-in sessions
• More young people feeling supported with mental health issues &sexual health matters
•  Increase in self-esteem
• Young people are more informed about what support is available from the health service and other organisations in the wider community
• A lessened feeling of social isolation

The mental health and wellbeing Champion works in partnership with the NHS Health Improvement Team to map opportunities and support in the area and to keep up to date with local and national practice & policy development. They also identify training opportunities for both upskilling staff and building the capacity of the young people.

Additionally, they support the young people to participate in existing programmes in Fuse such as the Children in Need Power-up Programme which provides physical activity and healthy eating/nutritional support both of which are key to maintaining mental and emotional wellbeing.

Activities

• Podcasting - Young people discussing/debating issues in peer groups that affect their lives.
• One to ones - Young people are supported with various mental health and wellbeing issues and where appropriate, signposted or externally referred to relevant agencies/partners.
• Training - Both staff and young people are provided with opportunities to improve on their knowledge and understanding of mental health and the types of issues people have.
• Campaigns - Mental health awareness dates for various types of mental health,  promoted throughout the year to encourage learning, break down stigma and provide support to all young people
• Group Work/Education - Peer education workshops via girls/boys groups, schools programmes or youth work sessions to discuss/debate mental health and the types of support that the young people would benefit from.

A new Mental Health Strategy 2017 - 2027 drive as we do with physical health problems. More information:
https://hub.careinspectorate.com/national-policy-and-legislation/policies/mental-health

We now have a Fuse youth mental health policy, a mental health wall and the majority of staff are now up to date in mental health training. Part of the Glasgow East mental health hubcap also.

Recently had some podcast sessions with the young people discussing mental health, the effects of COVID19 on mental health and how social isolation has affected this. Utilised as a form of a steering group, podcasts have been a very valuable method of gaining much-needed insight into our young peoples thought and opinions on relative issues affecting their mental health and wellbeing