On Saturday 30 November, Sara will be at St Peter’s Church in Bayhall Road, Tunbridge Wells, along with Fiona from Emerge, to talk on “Facing a Growing Crisis: How can we help our Young People?”, as follows:

According to the British Medical Association, mental illness rates among young people are rising faster than in adults. Between 2017 & 2022, probable mental health disorders increased from around 1 in 8 for young people aged 7-16 to more than 1 in 6 and increased from 1 in 10 for those aged 17-19 to 1 in 4. These conditions manifest as difficulties with emotions, behaviour, relationships, hyperactivity and concentration and should be a growing concern for all of us in our community. 

This worrying trend is predicted to worsen over the coming years.

How can we better understand what is going on and provide support at this pivotal time?

Our two experienced guest speakers will talk to us over breakfast about mental health, support networks and what we can do to help family, friends and our community:

– Sara from Crossways runs a mental health support programme and training for school children. She often gives talks to parents as well as in schools, advocating for community-based support.

– Fiona, formerly a Psychology Practitioner, set up the first Emerge project in Kent. Emerge Advocacy is a Christian youth charity which helps young people under the age of 26 in A&E in mental health crisis.

Breakfast is provided – but please sign up on the St Peter’s website: Events – St Peter’s Tunbridge Wells