Supporting Young People’s Mental Health – We Must Do More

The mental health of our young people is one of the most urgent challenges we face. Across South East Cornwall, too many children and teenagers are struggling with anxiety, stress, and depression. It is a growing crisis, and we need to take it seriously.

Recently, I met with YoungMinds, along with a number of inspiring young people, to hear more about their powerful new campaign: Missing the Mark. This campaign is calling for a rethink of how we assess young people in schools, aiming to reduce unnecessary pressure and make the system more supportive and fair.

We discussed the impact of exam stress, which remains a key concern for many students in South East Cornwall. I know from conversations with local parents, teachers, and young people that the current system can sometimes feel like it values performance over wellbeing—and that has to change.

I am continuing to work with colleagues in government to push for better mental health support in our schools, including specialist staff, early intervention services, and funding for programmes that make a real difference.

Organisations like YoungMinds are doing brilliant work to support young people and raise awareness of the pressures they face. I am committed to ensuring their voices are heard in Parliament—and to fighting for a system that prioritises the health, happiness, and potential of every child.

Anna Gelderd MP
Member of Parliament for South East Cornwall

📢 If you or someone you know is affected by this issue, you can find support at www.youngminds.org.uk