UpBeat Mental Health Resource for 13-16 yr old boys review by Olly Shaw
UpBeat Mental Health Resource for 13-16 yr old boys review by Olly Shaw, youth worker St. Leonard’s Church Eynsham, pioneer youth worker for Oxford Diocese and team member Youthwork+
Struggling with mental health is something very current and very real for many young people. In recent times, as a society we have been realising the hidden mental health struggles that can impact our young men. Apparently 1 in 12 boys aged 10-15 are unhappy with their appearance. Young men are also the demographic who are least likely to seek help for emotional or mental struggles. How great would it be if young men felt that church was a safe place where they could express their emotions and struggles and not be judged?
This is where resources like Upbeat come in. It is a “6 session course which features videos, music playlists, group discussions, creative activities and (optional spiritual reflections” created by the geniuses over at Youthscape.
The key to this resources is that it is aiming at being preventative. In my experience, supporting young people to develop tools to take care of their emotional and spiritual well being is the best way we can support them in this difficult area of life.
Running something like Upbeat communicates to young men that we care about their emotional health, not just whether or not they turn up, behave or help out. We don’t have to have the answers, but we can support them in the journey. The course isn’t just for Christians either, so it could possibly be run in a community group (depending on the context).
The resource costs £22 (including delivery) but you can use it multiple times. It features content from a wide range of relatable contributors and really helps young men to know it is ok to need help and encourages them to look out for and help others. You can buy it by going here:
https://www.youthscape.co.uk/store/product/upbeat
If, like me, the idea of coming up with a way to support young men and encourage better emotional health; then buying Upbeat will be £22 well spent.