THE campaign for mental health to be recognised as being as important to our wellbeing as physical health is an ongoing battle.

Despite growing public attention and well-known names coming forward with their stories, the stigma is still prevalent.

However, while adults may still struggle to acknowledge the issues, it is the younger generation who are now leading the way for change.

In Bolton, young people have been finding a way to overcome the barrier of silence surrounding mental health.

Turton High School is among those leading the way with a couple of unique appointments to support students and help improve understanding.

Leander Nield is a mental health nurse based at the school alongside a cognitive behaviour therapist in order to provide help and understanding of issues and problems with mental health.

She explained: “Turton School is passionate about improving mental health and supporting the wellbeing of all our students.

“Year on year there is an increasing number of people struggling to manage their mental health and with the expectations faced by young people, from social media through to exam pressure, they can understandably struggle.

“People have been suffering in silence and, having not spoken about it, it impacts on their life.

“At assembly we asked how many people brush their teeth that day, every hand went up, but when we asked how many thought about their mental health only a couple of hands went up.

“It is crucially important that children are supported to normalise their emotions and understand their mental health. Children need to be empowered to speak openly about their experiences and to have access to timely support.

“We want our students’ voices to be heard and we want everyone to feel ok to talk about how they are feeling.”

In July, Turton was one of the first schools in the country to be involved in the Youth MHFA in Schools programme.

Nationally, CAMHS – the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – struggles to meet the demand and students routinely assessed have a 20-week wait for mental health intervention.

In Turton, Leander and other specialist staff to bridge the gap and provide targeted assessment and support through group work and individual sessions.

It has also recruited 17 mental health champions from our student population to work with Bolton Headspace, an Octagon Theatre programme of activities for young people struggle with their mental health.

Leander adds: “We are one of the first schools in Bolton to be selected to work with CAMHS as part of their schools liaison pilot.

“Up-skilling staff is important and emotional coaching has been delivered to our trainee teachers. All schools need to get better a weaving mental health in as part of the curriculum, learning through school that it’s okay to talk about how you are feeling and the importance of looking after yourself.”

Last week, millions of people took part in World Mental Health Day and Turton youngsters stepped out in yellow to support the Young Minds UK #helloyellow campaign.

The Sixth Form Wellbeing Team launched a mental health awareness initiative across the school with staff and students encouraged to write messages of support as well as hosting mental health discussions in class and special assemblies.

Year eight student Sam Roscoe said: “The assembly was cool because we got to know about famous people with mental health problems and that people who struggle with mental health aren’t different.

“We wrote positive messages so that people know they are not alone.”

The day also marked the first anniversary of a youth-lead scheme in Bolton.

Members of the Bolton Healthy Minds Youth Project were at The Light Cinema showcasing the work they have been doing to improve the conversation around mental health. From drama shows to school visits, the enterprising young campaigners have made it a mission to help end the stigma through the Be Kind to Your Mind campaign.

Bolton Council participation officer Ciara Steele said: “The young people are so passionate and want to make a difference.

“They are trying to get out into schools and communities to end that stigma which is attached to mental health and get young people talking about it.

“This project has given them a voice, it’s encouraging them to speak out and not be afraid to say they have got an appointment with CAHMS or let people know they have anxiety.

“It was young people who started it and have been involved in it, and it is such a huge achievement for them.”

The project works in partnership with Bolton CAHMAS, the Bolton Youth Council and the town’s youth MPs.

To find out more about it visit the ‘Bekindtomymind’ Facebook page.