NHS Provides Financial Support for Youth Mental Health Initiative
Cornwall's Youth Mental Health Project Receives £150,000 Boost
By Angela Kalwaites
Newquay, Cornwall
A groundbreaking project in Cornwall is empowering young individuals to harness the healing power of nature for their mental well-being. The Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) initiative, known as 'Goes Wild!', has been awarded a substantial £150,000 grant from NHS Charities Together.
This innovative program, delivered in collaboration with CAMHS and Newquay Orchard, offers a unique approach to mental health support for teenagers aged 14 to 17. The project's community hub, located in the heart of Newquay, provides a safe and welcoming environment for young people to engage with nature and access essential mental health services.
Molly Jenkins, a clinical associate psychologist at CAMHS, expressed her enthusiasm for the funding, stating, 'This grant will enable us to implement a nature-based lifestyle medicine program, offering a holistic approach to mental health improvement.'
The program's eight-week sessions, held at Newquay Orchard, utilize its lush green spaces and forest areas, providing a tranquil setting for participants to connect with nature and themselves. Jenkins further emphasized the project's impact, 'The funding will enable us to reach young people who might otherwise be overlooked, including those facing socio-economic challenges and those transitioning to adult services.'
Ellie Orton OBE, CEO of NHS Charities Together, shared her vision for the project, 'Through various initiatives, we aim to dismantle the barriers that hinder young people's access to care. We believe that every child's health should be determined by their potential, not their birthplace.'
This funding is part of a broader effort to ensure that all children have an equal opportunity to grow up healthy and prepared for a bright future. With this support, 'Goes Wild!' is poised to make a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of young individuals in Cornwall and beyond.
