The Power of Honest Conversations: Supporting Young People’s Mental Health

Young people’s mental health has never been more topical. As parents, carers, extended family, teachers, and community group leaders, we all play a vital role in shaping how young people understand and manage their emotions. One of the most powerful ways we can support them is through honest and open communication. When young people feel safe to talk about their struggles without fear of judgment, they are far more likely to seek help when they need it and less likely to build up bigger, more complicated issues through regularly unpicking and processing things.

Learning to Understand Ourselves

Looking back, I can certainly see why my family may have described me as a moody teenager (at home, in other environments, I was generally a 'delight' - another topic for another time!). My moods would shift, and I often felt misunderstood. But reflecting on it now, I realise that it’s no wonder others couldn’t understand me—I didn’t understand myself. I didn’t know how to check in with myself, how to identify what I was feeling, or why I was reacting the way I was. Without that self-awareness, it was impossible to communicate my needs or emotions effectively.

Now, I’m much more in tune with my feelings, emotions, and perceptions. I recognise when I’m feeling vulnerable, anxious, or low, and I know how to respond to those feelings in a way that supports my wellbeing. But that self-awareness took time to develop—and it’s something we need to help young people build from an early age.

Despite progress in recent years, stigma around mental health still exists. Many young people feel pressured to appear strong or resilient, often hiding their struggles or not exploring them because they don't know how to or fear being judged or misunderstood. This silence can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and even crisis points that could have been prevented through early conversations.

Understanding Mental Health Literacy

A key part of improving young people’s mental wellbeing is increasing their mental health literacy—their ability to recognise, understand, and seek help for mental health difficulties. Dias et al. (2018) suggested a four-factor structure to mental health literacy. These four factors focus on: 

1) Knowledge of mental health conditions - understanding what mental health is and recognising the signs of poor mental health.

2) Erroneous beliefs and stereotypes - challenging misconceptions and encouraging open discussions.

3) First aid skills and help-seeking behaviour - knowing where and how to seek help or signpost others.

4) Self-help strategies - my research showed that there may be an over-reliance on this particular factor.

Last year, for my final research project to complete my Master’s in Psychology at the University of Exeter, I researched mental health literacy in young people. The research focused on which areas of mental health literacy most need improving, as we know that increased mental health literacy is a protective factor against poor mental health (Kutcher et al., 2016). If young people lack the knowledge and confidence to talk about mental health, they may struggle to reach out for help or support their peers effectively. My research reinforced something I’ve always believed—open, honest conversations are one of the most powerful tools we have in creating stronger, healthier communities.

Why Open and Honest Conversations Matter

I talk a lot about honest and open communication—whether in the workplace, in families, or in wider communities. That’s because I truly believe it is the key to building stronger, more connected societies. This is something we should be modelling for children from a young age, so that it becomes second nature throughout their lives.

Young people take cues from the adults around them. If we avoid discussions about mental health or respond with discomfort, they may assume these topics are off-limits. On the other hand, when we model openness and empathy, we create a safe space for them to share their thoughts and feelings.

A Practical Example: Linking Emotions to the Seasons

In a recent home education drama and wellbeing group with children aged 6–12, we explored how different weather and seasons can affect our emotions. Between drama activities, we talked about how a bright, sunny day might make us feel energetic and cheerful, while a cold, grey afternoon could leave us feeling sluggish or demotivated. The children shared their own experiences, recognising that these shifts in mood are natural and that we don't all respond in the same way, with some people preferring colder days and others feeling more uplifted on sunnier days. By helping them tune into these feelings and understand the impact of external factors, we empower them to manage their wellbeing more effectively. Simple discussions like these build emotional awareness and encourage young people to express how they feel.

Here’s how we can foster honest conversations:

• Listen without judgement – encourage young people to talk about their feelings and validate their experiences.

• Use everyday moments – talking about mental health doesn’t have to be formal; casual conversations during car journeys, sports practice, or family meals can be just as meaningful.

• Educate ourselves – understanding mental health literacy helps us answer questions with confidence and challenge stigma.

• Encourage help-seeking – make sure young people know that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

  
  

Driving Change Together

To truly support young people, we need to keep pushing for change—reducing stigma, improving understanding, and advocating for better mental health education. Schools, sports clubs, and community groups all have a role to play in ensuring that young people feel heard, supported, and empowered.

By prioritising open communication and mental health literacy, we can create a generation that is more informed, resilient, and unafraid to seek help when they need it. Change starts with conversation—so let’s keep talking.

How You Can Get Involved

• Start conversations about mental health with the young people in your life.

• Challenge stigma when you hear it.

• Support initiatives that promote mental health education in schools and youth organisations.

  
  

Together, we can build a world where young people feel safe to speak up, seek help, and thrive. If you'd like a member of the Collectively Diverse team to come into your school, club or community to talk about supporting children and young people's mental health, based on personal and professional experiences and academic research, please get in touch.