Making research and innovation work better for young people's mental health

YPMH is a charity working to prevent and reduce mental ill health among children and young people.

We connect research, innovation and implementation to help translate knowledge into practical approaches that can improve prevention, early identification, management and treatment.

Young people's mental health needs new approaches

Research has greatly increased our understanding of mental health, but knowledge alone does not improve people’s lives. We need to turn what we know into better ways of preventing, identifying and treating mental ill health.

1 in 5

children and young people aged 8 – 25 in England had a probable mental disorder in 2023.

NHS England, 2023

50%

of lifetime cases of mental disorder begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24.

Kessler et al., 2005

Nearly 3x

the odds of depression in adulthood following depression in adolescence.

Johnson et al., 2018

From understanding to impact

Turning research into better outcomes requires more than generating evidence. We need to understand complex challenges, identify promising opportunities, develop effective approaches and support their use in real-world settings.

A further barrier is limited precision about the needs being addressed, the factors and mechanisms involved and who is most likely to benefit from a particular intervention. This can make promising approaches harder to develop, target, evaluate, adopt and fund.

YPMH has developed Understand : Innovate : Implement to connect these activities and accelerate progress from knowledge to action.

We bring together evidence, expertise and lived experience through structured engagement that helps collaborators develop shared understanding, make informed decisions and agree practical action.

What we're working on

We apply our approach to real-world challenges where better understanding, innovation and implementation could improve outcomes for children and young people.

YPMH is a founding collaborator in this international initiative to accelerate the identification, development and adoption of new and better interventions for depressed mood.

A three-year programme applying Understand : Innovate : Implement to opportunities linking food and nutrition with young people’s brain and mental health.

Explore how YPMH has applied its approach to challenges involving prevention, early identification, treatment and mental health support.

Evidence, insights and information

Explore YPMH reports, reviews and practical resources.

Accessible, evidence-informed insights into young people’s mental health.

Selected information and tools for young people, families, practitioners and organisations.

Help turn knowledge into better mental health

We apply our approach to real-world challenges where better understanding, innovation and implementation could improve outcomes for children and young people.

Need mental health support?

YPMH does not provide clinical care or crisis support. If you are concerned about your own mental health or someone else’s, find information about organisations that can provide appropriate help.

Making research and innovation work better for young people's mental health

Young people's mental health needs new approaches

1 in 5

50%

Nearly 3x

From understanding to impact

What we're working on

Evidence, insights and information

Help turn knowledge into better mental health

Collaborate

Fund a programme

Donate

Fundraise

Need mental health support?