BALANCED FUTURES
Empowering Minds, Strengthening Communities.
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Who we are and
what we do
Balanced Futures equips young people with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to support mental health in their communities. Through engaging Youth Mental Health First Aid training, we tackle stigma, build supportive environments, and promote early intervention. Our mission is to empower the next generation to safeguard, signpost, and support their peers, creating a healthier, more connected future for all.
Why is Mental Health
First Aid needed?
There are many reasons why Mental Health First Aid is needed, including that:
Poor mental health is common
There is stigma associated with poor mental health
Many people are not well informed
Professional support isn’t always available straight away
Becoming more informed challenges the status quo, reducing negative societal attitudes
Raising awareness helps us to spot indicators someone is struggling
Developing skills to support people encourages early interventions and can prevent escalation, can get earlier help
Young people’s mental health: Current context
Record levels of young people are struggling with their mental health. Academic pressures, social media, bullying, poverty, inequality, and the lack of timely professional mental health support available are all contributing factors.
In 2024, the number of referrals to mental health services increased to 120,000 a month, compared to around 40,000 a month in 2016. One in five children aged eight to 25 had a probable mental health condition in 2023, a sharp rise from one in nine in 2017.
50% of mental health conditions are established by age 14 and 70% of children and adolescents who experience mental health problems have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.