Young people in Hackney are facing increasing pressure around school, friendships and emotional wellbeing, according to frontline staff working at the Family Action Hackney Children and Young People’s Mental Health Hub.
Speaking this Mental Health Awareness Week, therapeutic youth workers and counsellors at the service say many young people are struggling to cope with academic demands, social pressures and understanding their emotions.
Staff working directly with 10–25-year-olds describe a consistent picture across their caseloads:
- Difficulty managing anxiety, anger and overwhelming emotions
- Pressure to succeed at school alongside feelings of not fitting in
- Challenges navigating friendships, relationships and social anxiety
They also report that many young people are experiencing low self-esteem, body image concerns and disrupted sleep, often alongside the impact of social media and online life.
Frontline practitioners say some young people feel labelled as “difficult” or “disengaged” at school, when in reality they may be overwhelmed and in need of support.
Sathurja, Family Action Therapeutic Youth Worker at the Hub, said:
We see so many young people who are trying to cope with a lot at once, pressure at school, friendships that feel overwhelming, and big emotions they don’t always understand yet.
Vivienne, Family Action Therapeutic Youth Worker, added:
We’re seeing more young people who feel burnt out by academic pressure and then feel guilty for not being productive. They often describe ‘freezing’ or shutting down, it’s not that they don’t care, it’s that they’re overwhelmed. Helping them understand that is a really important first step.
Practitioners at the service also highlight a strong sense of not fitting in or feeling different, which can affect confidence and mental health.
Family Action’s Hackney Children and Young People’s Mental Health Hub offers free, confidential support to young people aged 10–25 across the borough.
Michelle, Family Action Therapeutic Youth Worker, concludes:
Many young people we meet are dealing with social anxiety or struggling to take the next step into education, training or work. What helps most is having someone in their corner, someone who listens, supports them to manage their emotions, and helps them build confidence at their own pace.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, Family Action are encouraging parents, carers and young people to remember that they are not alone and that support is available early, before things reach crisis point.
They are also calling for greater understanding that emotional struggles in young people are common and valid, and that small, consistent support can make a lasting difference.
You can find more advice on young people’s mental health challenges in our self help article: Supporting your teenager’s mental health
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