www.youthtalk.org.uk

Charity No: 1063572

Committed to supporting and improving young people’s mental healthand wellbeing

O U R AC H I E V E M E N TS

2018–2019 has been another successful year for Youth Talk and we’re pleased and proud of what we’ve achieved.We’ve helped more young people than ever, providing

support that can change lives. But we can only do this with the support of individuals, local

businesses and organisations.

Your support can help change lives

young people

attended counselling – 7% more than last year

relationships

2,652

young people

counselling sessionsoffered to young people

in need of support – 17% more than last year

An average of 63

254

40counselling sessions offered each week

Consulting with and involving Strong

in developing our services

Funding securedfrom more than

different sources

built with GP surgeries, secondary schools and other agencies to

raise awareness of our services

Growing up in today’s complex and challenging world is not always easy. For a whole variety of reasons, young people can find themselves feeling mentally unwell in ways they’d never expected – through anxiety, depression, family issues, identity and a whole lot more. That can be a very lonely and confusing place to find yourself and many young people suffer in silence, not knowing quite what is wrong, how to put it right, or where to turn for help. Talking – and being listened to – is essential for any young person struggling with their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Youth Talk is a charity providing a confidential counselling and therapeutic service without charge to 13–25-year-olds living, going to school/college or working in the City and District of St Albans. We are a lifeline in the community.

Why is Youth Talk needed?We wish we weren’t needed. In an ideal world, young people would be 100% resilient – capable of handling life’s challenges unscathed. Sadly, this isn’t the reality, and we’ve never been needed as much as we are today. Youth Talk was founded in 1997 by a local GP who saw a need for a safe place where young people could come for counselling and support. Whether it be

S was experiencing grief following his dad’s sudden death, anger towards a harshly critical mother and despair at the thought of his future. The main challenge was S’s lack of insight into how his drug-related actions adversely affected others and his anger at their responses. Whilst at Youth Talk, he left home, moving into a rented room where he was supported to live a healthier lifestyle. S was able to kick his drugs habit and seek employment. He left counselling feeling more in control of his life.

S’s Story

What we do

Our counselling services

Youth Talk provides an open door and a safe, confidential place for young people to talk. Young people can come to us without feeling embarrassed or ashamed and without fear of the stigma that is so often attached to mental health. We are a charity and do not charge for our services, meaning that any young person can reach out to us for help.

In 2018/19, we were able to offer 2,652 counselling sessions to distressed young people. That’s 254 young people who came to us in need and we were able to start helping. It’s a huge achievement that we’re immensely proud of.

Youth Talk operates on a self-referral basis – we encourage young people to get in touch with us directly themselves. Making this choice is crucial to the success of the process. We offer an initial meeting with one of our counsellors, usually within two weeks. After that meeting – and if counselling is the best way forward – sessions are on a weekly basis and last 50 minutes.

family conflict, problems at school, bullying, feeling persistently low or anxiety, many young people desperately need help to deal with what life throws at them. For over 22 years, Youth Talk has been supporting young people with a range of issues and at various levels of risk. Almost half of those who come to us are experiencing anxiety and stress and a third are suffering depression.

Other issues that we help with include isolation, loneliness, self-harm, low self-esteem, sexual or gender identity, bereavement, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts (or suicide attempts). Research shows that early intervention is key in helping deal with these issues.

It helps you make sense of yourthoughts and feelings and find your own

solutions or a new perspective. All ourcounsellors are qualified therapists and highly experienced in workingwith young people. They listen and

support young people to finda way forward that feels

right for them.

Counselling does not judge or tell someone what to do.

What iscounselling?

Information servicesWhen a young person is struggling, it can be a frightening and confusing time for them as well as for their family/carers. The Youth Talk website provides invaluable information about the services we offer and what to expect from counselling sessions, as well as other helpful information and signposting to useful websites and local and national support services. Youth Talk works closely with local mental health providers particularly the NHS CAMHS team and Adult Community Mental Health Services, GPs and schools. All of our counsellors are qualified with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). We’re very proud of our reputation amongst professionals.

D was overwhelmed by her negative feelings, suicidal thoughts and a sense of dissociation from things around her. She felt she had no place to go to talk as she worried it would burden others. As D became engaged with the counselling process, she was more able to talk about her negative feelings.

With the help of her counsellor, she realised her unbearable thoughts triggered her sense of disassociation. With this insight, D was able to identify these emotions and gain more control over her suicidal thoughts. In 10 sessions, she achieved significant understanding and the capacity to manage her frightening thoughts.

Did you know?

has symptoms of amental health illness

such as depression oran anxiety disorder.

1 in 6 young people aged 16–24

(NHS Digital report)

D’s Story

Get involved

Contact us Follow us

Fundraise and volunteer

Donate

Corporate support

Could you help run a social or fundraising event, organise collection tins or help with a funding bid? If you have a skill, we can use it! We are always on the lookout for volunteers. Donating even an hour of your time can make a real impact so please get in touch or visit our website for more information.

Tel: 01727 868684 Email: info@youthtalk.org.uk www.youthtalk.org.uk

@youthtalkstalbans

@YouthTalkSA

@youth_talk_stalbans

To see our full 2019 Annual Reportplease visit the Youth Talk website

Youth Talk is a Company Limited by Guarantee (England). Registration No: 3322319 Charity No: 1063572 Registered address: 2 Lower Dagnall Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4PA. Youth Talk is a member of the BACP.

We rely on regular donations to help us plan services and continue to help the young people who need us. Every donation – no matter the size – counts. You can donate in a variety of ways: a one-off donation or monthly, online or by post. Just visit our website and click the red donate button.

Can your company get involved to support us? Whether it’s by making us your charity of the year, matching donations, staff fundraising or employee volunteering, we’d love to hear from you.

Running a high-quality service is expensive. As a charity, Youth Talk relies on support and funding to deliver our services without charge and to help as many young people as possible. And the need has never been greater. We can only continue to provide our services with YOUR support. Every single donation and every hour volunteered make a difference. How can you help?

The pressures and challenges young people face today have never been greater and Youth Talk is providing such vital services across the District. We’re committed to helping young people access the desperately needed support that they deserve.”

“

David Barker, CEO