Urgent action needs to be taken now to teach young adults how to look after their mental health, according to a psychological and emotional resilience coach.
Dr Amali Gunasekera has launched Bright Futures Blueprint, a mental wellbeing course for 16 to 25-year-olds. The holistic programme is designed to address the root causes of anxiety, stress and overwhelm rather than relying on quick-fix coping strategies and life hacks.
NHS figures show one in six school-aged children in the UK have an active mental health issue with long waits for help and support. And research has found that a staggering 74% of mental illnesses are established by the age of 24.
Amali, a former university lecturer, decided to create Bright Futures Blueprint to help young adults understand themselves more and learn how to look after their mental health rather than waiting until crisis point.
She said: “We need a more holistic approach to mental wellbeing in the UK. At the moment, we ignore it until it is a problem.
“I want to help young adults learn to master their minds so they can be more masterful about all the decisions they take. So many people in this age group lose themselves before they even start their true adult life by seeking validation from others and not focusing on their own self care and self love.”
