Our Youth Panel – A Young Voice for the Brent Centre
Date published: 23.07.2024
The Brent Centre for Young People is excited to introduce our 2024 Youth Panel. This collective of young people acts as an advisory group for the Brent Centre, providing our organisation with a voice from young people and giving important feedback on our services so we can better support them.
The new panel members, are passionate about improving mental health outcomes for young people, including the Centre’s community-based projects. The panel has been supported to develop their skills and their own work programme, informed by the panel member’s own priorities and areas the Centre has identified as in need of development.
We asked a few questions to members of the youth panel about why they wanted to join the group, how young people viewed therapy, and what they thought could be done better to support young people to overcome mental health challenges:
What made you want to join the youth panel?
Aryan – “I chose to be a part of the Youth Panel, really, because it just interested me when I was made aware about it. I liked the idea of being a part of something that aimed to make getting help more comfortable for young people, since I know how hard it can be.”
Muneeb – “I think mental health needs have never been more diverse and many of these groups of young people often feel neglected… I chose to join as a youth panel member to contribute to the inclusion of all young people as the need for diversity has increased.”
Shahana – "To help boost my confidence, being able to say what’s on my mind, and getting to understand other people’s perspective."
How do you think young people view therapy and mental health services?
Shivani – “I think young people my age still regard therapy with a fair amount of stigma. Not necessarily that it is something to be ashamed of anymore, but the stigma has shifted to therapy being something that is often lightheartedly ridiculed by a person. However, it does vary across different groups of young people.”
What would you like to see changed in relation to young people and mental health?
Minsadi – “I would like to see more advertising focused on the younger generation by spreading awareness in schools, including primary schools as it is important to communicate with people from a young age, because it’s better to be aware of the services available when you’re younger.”
The Youth Panel is currently working on leading the Centre’s celebration of International Youth Day, advising on youth engagement with our BCYP stall at the upcoming Queen’s Park Day (community event in Brent), advising the Centre on how we can better reach young people, producing a video that explains the services the Centre offers to young people and much more.