On 23 October 2026, the Mental Health Champion, Professor Siobhan O’Neill launched a new campaign, ‘Make Some Space”, aimed at promoting positive coping strategies in young people aged 11-19 years old.
Life for many young people can feel like a balancing act. Juggling school, family, friends, fitting in, the list goes on. Most of the time they navigate these demands successfully, but sometimes the strain can become overwhelming. They feel they must hide their struggles but pretending ‘everything’s fine’ can take even more out of that person. By encouraging connections and open conversations at the earliest opportunity, we can help prevent small challenges from becoming bigger problems and ensure young people feel seen, heard and supported.
This campaign acknowledges the very real pressures that young people experience. While stress is a normal part of life, it’s important to recognise when stress is becoming overwhelming and then find ways to reduce the pressure.
The ‘Make Some Space’ campaign encourages young people to share their worries rather than carrying them alone. Talking to a trusted friend, or family member can help relieve pressure, provide perspective and remind us that we are not facing challenges on our own. Strong social connections are one of the most important protective factors for mental health, helping us to feel understood and cope better during difficult times. Connecting with someone we trust can help us feel safe, work out ways of problem solving, and prevent problems from escalating.
While talking is helpful for many, there are lots of other ways to manage stress and look after our wellbeing. Going for a walk, spending time in nature, writing or drawing, listening to music, or being physically active can all reduce stress and improve mood. The most important thing is to find what works for you and to make space for the activities and relationships that help you feel calmer, healthier and more connected.
Speaking about the new campaign, Professor O’Neill said:
“A young person’s life should be fun and exciting as they set goals and plan their lives into adulthood. However, the data shows that young people today face considerable stress and pressure. Whilst stress is a normal part of life, it’s important to recognise when stress becomes overwhelming. This is why I’m delighted to launch my new campaign ‘Make Some Space’, which encourages young people to develop the strategies and skills to help them recognise when the pressure is mounting and take practical steps to regulate their feelings.”
If you would like to promote the MHC campaign through any appropriate channels such as e-zines, newsletters or via social media, you can do so using the images and links under ‘Social Media’ on the campaign landing page (link below). Alternatively, the MHC social media accounts will also be posting regularly about the campaign and would appreciate any support you can give there.
To see more about the campaign visit: https://www.mentalhealthchampion-ni.org.uk/make-some-space
