Barnet's children and young people's Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter

Mental Health Charter

Our co-produced Mental Health Charter is the result of collaborative efforts involving over 200 children and young people. Through extensive consultations, focus groups and surveys we have ensured that their voices are not only heard but also have the power to create meaningful change.

This charter focuses on three key areas:

  1. What supports our mental health
  2. What mental health means to us
  3. We need Barnet to commit to

What supports our mental health

  • to feel that we belong
  • to be treated with kindness, consideration, and respect
  • to be seen as having strengths as well as difficulties
  • to feel safe to talk about our mental health
  • to be taken seriously if we say we are struggling
  • to know that inequality, racism and discrimination will not be tolerated

What mental health means to us

  • it is just as important as physical health
  • it is influenced by our own difficult life situations as well as world events
  • it is directly affected by unfairness, racism, discrimination, and prejudice 
  • it is seriously affected by harmful online content and bullying

We need Barnet to commit to:

  • making mental health a priority for all children, young people and families
  • considering mental health when making decisions for our community
  • involving us in making decisions about mental health services
  • calling out and tackling inequality, racism, discrimination and prejudice
  • providing accessible, uncomplicated information about when and where to get help
  • making sure that we get the right help from the right people at the right time
  • helping us quickly if we are in crisis
  • supporting us if we need to wait for mental health services
  • supporting us to choose life because even one person feeling like there's no way out, is one too many 
  • working together so that we only need to tell our story once
  • letting us decide whether we want to be seen in person or online
  • helping us to protect ourselves on social media
  • creating spaces in our communities where we feel safe to share our minds
  • supporting local community groups to help us feel that we belong 

Mental Health Charter (PDF, 4.2 MB)