Right Here report finds only half of young people comfortable talking to GPs about mental health
Right Here Brighton and Hove has released a new report finding that only 52 per cent of young people say they are comfortable speaking to their GP about emotional and mental health issues, and 36 per cent say they are not comfortable. Many respondents also commented that they would like the option to see a GP who specialises in the mental health of young people.
The study assessed young people’s views and experiences of visiting GPs about their mental health and wellbeing.
The report seeks to influence the future of health-related services for young people, in order to provide an improved experience that better meets their needs. It forms part of the Right Here project, a joint initiative of the PHF Social Justice programme and the Mental Health Foundation, working in four regions to improve the mental health of young people. The report aimed to empower young people to feedback to decision-makers on important issues regarding their healthcare.
The research project was designed and carried out by trained Right Here Campaign Volunteers aged 16 to 25, who consulted 172 young people in the same age range. Young people’s views were gathered through the use of questionnaires, focus group discussions and one-to-one interviews. The study aimed to identify young people’s positive experiences of GP services, in relation to mental health, and areas where improvement is needed.
The study found confidentiality to be a prominent issue for the young people involved with 41 per cent of respondents not knowing what is confidential when talking to GPs. Communication with GPs was also reported to be a key issue. One participant commented: “With my doctor, it was like he just didn’t have time for me; he didn’t really care because it wasn’t a physical problem and acted like I was just making it up.”
The research also finds that young people want to be better informed and more involved in the decisions made about their health. One respondent said: “Young people don’t get taken seriously and we don’t get listened to properly. Often my GP is quite patronising.”
Right Here Brighton and Hove is working closely with its local Clinical Commissioning Group to address the issues emerging from the report.
Right Here is a five-year Special Initiative of the PHF Social Justice programme, working jointly with the Mental Health Foundation. Right Here Brighton and Hove is a partnership between Sussex Central YMCA, Mind in Brighton and Hove, Brighton and Hove Children and Families Services, and the NHS. The Right Here initiative aims to improve the mental health of young people aged 16 to 25 by changing the way issues are addressed and developing new methods of providing support.
The full report is available from the Right Here website.