Devon’s young people leading the way on children’s mental health
Young people from across Devon are being recognised this Children’s Mental Health Week (9-15 February) for their vital role in shaping mental health support for children and young people locally.
Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) works with a group of Young Advisors — young people who use their lived experience to directly influence NHS children’s services across Devon and Torbay. The group plays an active role in improving services, from shaping communications and resources to interviewing staff and advising on what support works best for young people.
Zero, a CFHD Young Advisor said: “I’ve personally struggled with my mental health throughout a large portion of my life, and now that I am in recovery and to a point where I can proudly say in a stable headspace, I now find myself as a young advisor able to advocate for young people struggling just like I once was. Advocating for mental health is such a key passion of mine, and working along side CFHD completely allows me to do so, I’m not just hoping for change now, I am actively able to help make a difference.
One of the most powerful outcomes of this work is the Letter for Tomorrow — a deeply moving message of hope written by young people, for young people who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts.
The letter was co-created by CFHD Young Advisors, with three young people co-writing and recording the audio version using their own lived experience, and another creating the accompanying artwork. It offers reassurance, understanding and hope, reminding young people that they are not alone and that tomorrow is worth holding on for.
Since its release, the Letter for Tomorrow has been shared widely and has reached audiences well beyond Devon. The project has also received national recognition, with CFHD’s participation group achieving highly commended at ‘The Mental Health Awards’ Inspirational Story category for the work.
CFHD says the Young Advisors programme shows the importance of listening to young voices — not just consulting them but giving them real influence in how services are designed and delivered.
Robin Tay, Participation Worker at Children and Family Health Devon, added: “Our Young Advisors bring honesty, courage and insight that you simply can’t get any other way. The Letter for Tomorrow shows what’s possible when young people are trusted to lead — they didn’t just share their experiences; they turned them into something meaningful that could genuinely help others. Their voices shape everything we do.”
Children’s Mental Health Week provides an important opportunity to highlight the power of young voices, lived experience and peer-to-peer support — particularly at a time when children and young people’s mental health remains a key concern for families, schools and communities across Devon and Torbay.