Nearly one-third of 16-24 year olds in the UK (31%) reported some evidence of depression or anxiety in 2017 to 2018. This is up from the previous year (26%) and the same period five years earlier (26%).(data taken from Mind). Young people in lower income bracket are 4.5 times more likely to experience severe mental health problems than those from the highest income brackets. Suicide was the leading cause of death for males and females aged between five to 34 in 2019, with nearly half of 17-19 year-olds with a diagnosable mental health disorder has self-harmed or attempted suicide at some point, rising to 52.7% for young women (data from Young Minds).
On average, at least five young people die by suicide every day, with those experiencing neurodiversity or additional learning needs being disproportionately affected.
Research from Autism UK indicates suicidal ideation rates between 10.9% and 66% for autistic individuals.
Newcastle University found that 66% of autistic adults have considered suicide, compared to 17% in the general population.
LGBTQ+ young people are twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts as their peers.
As the data highlights, our young people are in crisis and we need to do more to support this.
Many of our students at Inclusion College experience severe mental health needs, which can include suicidal thoughts and ideation, self-harm, loneliness and isolation and extreme anxiety. This is often co-occurring with Neurodivergence or additional learning needs. We are the only post 16 service in the area that provides this unique level of support for these differing needs.
One of the core priorities of Inclusion Education as an organisation is to provide a more holistic approach to education, responding to this ever increasing need to support the mental health and wellbeing of our learners along with their re-engagement with education that allows them to find their path.
At Inclusion College, we offer mental health support services to all our students. Our team of mental health support workers and Counsellors have significant experience in working with young people from a range of differing backgrounds and environments.
They are able to support and work with our young people experiencing issues which may include anxiety, bereavement, depression, self-harm, trauma, and gender or sexuality.
Our team have developed a student led approach which is adapted to best suit the needs of the individual they are working with, be that one on one sessions, group chat or more informal sessions.
The team listen and support in a confidential and non-judgmental way. Students have the opportunity to have an informal chat during the day or have timetabled sessions. These are not time limited.
As an organisation, one of our core principles is supporting mental health and well-being of our young people which we want to ensure is done in a consistent approach, whilst meeting the needs of the individual. The Mental Health Strategic Working Group ensures we keep mental health at the forefront of our culture and specialism. It provides a structured space for teams to align on approach, share best practices, and maintain consistency in support across all sites. These meetings enhance communication, decision-making, and accountability while fostering collaboration, peer support, and a strong workplace culture. They also support professional development and continuous improvement, helping us adapt to evolving needs and maintain high-quality care.
