Cheshire East Council hosted their first children’s mental health conference titled “Taboo”.
The conference was co-hosted by Cheshire East’s Youth Council, showing its commitment for supporting young people’s mental health in East Cheshire.
The event, which took place virtually, brought together children and young people from 13 schools as well as professionals from the council, health and community organisations.
“Taboo” was chosen as a name to represent the stigma around young people’s mental health, it is hoped that the conference helped to dispel some stigma by allowing young people to discuss the mental health struggles that they face and expressing how they’d like professionals to help them.
Since the formation of Cheshire East Children’s Trust in 2015, the council have been working closely with children, young people, parents, carers, and people who work with families to ensure that the services they deliver are representative of what residents want.
Ruben Barrow, Cheshire East member of youth parliament, said:
“For the last three years, young people across Cheshire East have voted mental health as one of their top issues as part of the annual UK Youth Parliament ‘Make your Mark’ ballot. This ballot provides a voice for young people and helps to establish the biggest issues they face.
“Our Taboo conference is just one of the ways we’re reaching out to young people in Cheshire East and letting them know that they are not alone, and that help is available.”
