MH:2K

MH:2K enables young people to explore mental health issues and influence decision-making in their local areas. It empowers 14-25 year olds to:

Identify the mental health issues that they see as most important;

Engage their peers in discussing and exploring these topics;

Work with key local decision-makers to make recommendations for change.

MH:2K was developed through a partnership of Leaders Unlocked and Involve. Following a successful pilot in Oldham, we received support from the Wellcome Trust to expand MH:2K to four new areas: Birmingham; Central Lancashire; Nottingham and Nottinghamshire; North Tyneside. Subsequently in 2019, MH:2K was also adopted in Derby and Derbyshire.

"MH2K is in its third year delivering youth-led research in Derby and Derbyshire. They’ve provided valuable insights and influenced change across schools, the NHS and local authorities. This has really helped us to ensure that services are set up to deliver for children and young people."

Nicola Smith, Derby & Derbyshire ICB

Impact Statement

Since 2016, MH:2K has worked with 6 local authorities to give over 200 young people the ability to influence decisions about youth mental health in their areas, through peer research and co-production. Some of the key impacts of the project include:

Commissioning: Shaping new pathways for mental health including around eating disorders; neurodiversity; CAMHS and community services. Informing the development of Mental Health Teams for Schools (MHSTs).

Practice: Young people being involved in the recruitment and training of mental health practitioners; co-production of youth-centred websites for providing information on mental health services; advising mental health providers on how to use social media as a tool for engaging young people.

Young people: Through roadshows and peer research, the project has engaged with over 5,000 young people to give them a voice on mental health and raise their awareness of the support available in their areas.

How it works

Through the project, the young leaders have the opportunity to:

In each local area, MH:2K involves the following stages of work:

Recruitment: Working closely with local partners, we recruit a team of proactive young people as ‘Citizen Researchers’. This group brings together a diverse cross-section of the youth population, including those with direct experience of mental health issues and individuals from at risk groups.

Design Days: We support the Citizen Researchers to explore key national and local information about youth mental health. The Researchers determine which mental health issues are most significant for their area. They receive training in research, event design, facilitation and public speaking.

Roadshow: The Citizen Researchers co-design and deliver workshops to engage a much wider number of young people on the priority topics. The workshops stimulate informal learning and gather young people’s views on what’s working, what’s not, and potential solutions.

Results Day: The Citizen Researchers co-analyse the Roadshow data and extract key findings. The Researchers work with local decision-makers to develop strong, practical recommendations for change.

Big Showcase: The Citizen Researchers present their findings and recommendations to key local stakeholders at a media-friendly event. The Showcase includes facilitated conversations about next steps. The project results are fed back to all the young people who took part.

An Expert Panel of key local decision-makers and stakeholders informs the project’s work throughout its lifetime.

Get involved

We are currently seeking new local areas to take part in MH:2K. To find out more about this opportunity, please get in touch at info@leaders-unlocked.org.

Why

Mental health conditions affect about 1 in 10 young people, with vulnerable groups particularly a risk. Young people have a unique and vital perspective on their mental health – the challenges they face, information they need, and what is and isn’t working about existing services.

By harnessing young people’s experiences and views, decision-makers can gain deeper understanding of mental health issues in their area and new insights about effective solutions. They can better serve the diversity of their youth populations.

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MH:2K

MH:2K

"MH2K is in its third year delivering youth-led research in Derby and Derbyshire. They’ve provided valuable insights and influenced change across schools, the NHS and local authorities. This has really helped us to ensure that services are set up to deliver for children and young people."

Impact Statement

How it works

Why

Get involved

Who We Work With

Useful details

Contact us

Policing

Education

Health & Well Being

Talent

Justice

Find us

General Enquiries

MH:2K

MH:2K

"MH2K is in its third year delivering youth-led research in Derby and Derbyshire. They’ve provided valuable insights and influenced change across schools, the NHS and local authorities. This has really helped us to ensure that services are set up to deliver for children and young people."

Impact Statement

How it works

Why

Get involved

Who We Work With

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