Meet Isla*. She has always loved dancing, especially ballet, is a proud Swiftie and enjoys a disco in the kitchen with her mum. But Isla also struggles with her mental health and sometimes has thoughts of harming herself when her feelings of not being enough become too much. It’s a lot. 
 
Social media only adds to this. Seeing highlight reels of other people’s lives; their family holidays, exam successes and constant comparisons can start to feel overwhelming. It’s a lot for any young person to carry. 
 
In 2023, among young people aged 17 to 24, about 9.1 percent said they had thought about self-harm in the last four weeks. At Spurgeons, we recognise how real this is. These emotions are valid, and it is a lot to cope with alone. 
 
We believe that strong, supported families and networks are the foundation their children need. Your support can help us give families like Isla’s 1-1 tailored support around their teenager’s specific needs, helping families feel empowered and better equipped with the tools and knowledge to keep their teenager safe. Can you support us to support them? 

*Isla is a fictional young person, but his story is inspired by many of the young people we meet everyday.