#REACHOut launch

Shining a Light on Adolescent Mental Health

On Saturday 17 September 2016, the #REACHOut community event marked the launch of a new research study investigating youth mental health. The event was held at 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning in Herne Hill, and was free and open to all.

Over 100 people – a mix of mental health professionals, researchers, students, young people and the greater community came together to discuss the importance of adolescent mental health and how it contributes to the local community. Challenges within the field were discussed by a panel of leading experts and a young person who shared her personal experience of mental health issues. A series of interactive activities, including virtual reality demonstrations, allowed attendees to get hands-on experience with initiatives that are encouraging good mental health.

The Resilience, Ethnicity, and AdolesCent Mental Health (REACH) study, led by Professor Craig Morgan, seeks to understand the factors that increase risk for mental health problems – and more importantly increase resilience during the critical adolescent period. REACH will investigate the impact of risk and protective factors on the occurrence and persistence of mental health problems in the south London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, and Croydon. A large, ethnically diverse cohort of around 4,000 adolescents (initially aged 11-14 years) will be assessed, and followed up one and two years later.

The launch event was an occasion for networking and a great way to engage in dialogue with so many people interested and committed to supporting youth mental health.

To learn more about the study please visit the website and follow us on Twitter @TheREACHStudy.

View the event photos on Flickr. Photographer credit: Yuebi Yang.