Our youth-led FRED campaign is fully aware of the impact that the Covid-19 and the lockdown are having on young people’s mental health. These issues include:

• Depression and anxiety about unknown futures

• Cancelled exams

• Being taken out of employment

• Stress and fear seeing close friends and family getting ill

• Loneliness due to isolation

• … and numerous other health problems, such as eating disorders.

Some of our service users have indicated very worrying levels of poor mental health that could lead to self-harm or long-term illness. While most require support in the form of advice, others are asking for Personal Protection Equipment or, simply, food that they are not able to purchase due to lack of income or support from their family. A small minority are homeless or are dealing with drug or other addiction issues.

We also know that the NHS and public services are currently overburdened. There are few resources to provide young people with specialist mental health support or immediate relief and food.

The economic effects of the social distancing policy have a disproportionate impact on young people. They are often represented in low-income sectors, which are worse affected, such as hospitality.

WE ARE PROVIDING... 

- Free Food and PPE
We are giving free food and PPE to children, vulnerable young people and their families.

-Free e-courses and Multimedia content for young people to learn and become more resilient during these difficult times

- Online bank of free resources and activities

- Youth Led Forum: forum run by trained young people and created to offer young people a free space to share their feelings, concerns and ideas. 

- A secure chat room & Facebook: Where you can share your concerns, thoughts and fears with others, build safe relationships and stop feeling lonely. You can also join us on Facebook for regular updates on freebies and much more https://www.facebook.com/groups/fredandyou