SEPT 1, 2021
We are proud to announce we will be supporting YoungMinds during the month of September, a charity supporting the mental wellbeing of young people and their parents.
About YoungMinds
YoungMinds provide support through online resources and information regarding mental wellbeing. An estimated one in 6 children aged 5-16 have a mental health problem as of July 2020, yet less than half of this group access care and treatment. YoungMinds collaborative approach to mental wellbeing provides children and parents with resources to support them through bullying, depression, anxiety specific medication, coping mechanisms, and helping others who are struggling.
Young men are three times more likely to die from suicide than women in the UK. Opening up conversations about mental wellbeing is critical to support friends and family during these traumatic experiences. The 10th of September marks World Suicide Prevention Day, which YoungMinds supports through their anonymous 24-hour textline service, available seven days a week. YoungMinds provides judgement-free support to anyone, no matter age, race, gender, or sexual orientation.
YoungMinds’ current campaign raises awareness of mental health problems, particularly in schools where young people face academic pressure alongside all of the trials and tribulations of growing up. One of the campaign’s key pillars is around online safety, advocating for the internet to become a safer and more friendly place, especially as over a quarter of young people have received a form of cyberbullying, increasing the suicide rate twofold. Raising awareness of mental health services through school education is crucial, so people know where to access support if and when they need it.
DG Brownies are donating 10% of our September profit to YoungMinds, as we believe that no human being should feel alone especially when suffering from mental health issues. Young people have been heavily impacted by the pandemic, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. With the help of our DG Family, we can ensure that all young people are receiving the advice and support they need, throughout parenthood, school and university.
Starting a conversation about mental health can be difficult sometimes, but chatting over a cuppa can be a great, informal way to find out how your loved ones are really doing.
June and July Throwback: Pride Month
Throughout June and July, DG Brownies partnered up with charity akt to celebrate Pride Month. akt supports young lgbtq+ people aged 16-25 in the UK who are facing living in a hostile environment or homelessness through finding emergency accommodation, alongside employment, education or training, helping them to get back on their feet . Since 1990, akt have supported over 700 youths across the UK. With 24% of young homeless individuals identifying as LGBTQ+, empowering people through akt has never been so important.
We raised over £200 for akt from our Pride edition rainbow sprinkle brownies. This money provides:
- Five nights of emergency accommodation
- Mobile phone credit and a phone if needed
- A transport card along with food and toiletries
Carrie Reiners, akt Deputy CEO, stated:
“When young people first come to akt, we often need to access immediate accommodation to keep a young person safe who is often fleeing abuse at home simply for being who they are. During the pandemic, akt has seen a 77% uplift in the number of young LGBTQ people needing our support. We are currently experiencing another surge in referrals so your support will be put into action immediately.”
We would like to thank everyone at akt for their hard work, particularly throughout the pandemic.
