BREAK COMMS helped reshape Barnet’s mental health support and services in consultation with young Barnet residents aged 14-23. 

‘Talk About It: Don’t Hide Your Mind’ - is a co-created youth-led approach to young people’s mental health from the London Borough of Barnet, powered by the realities and lived experiences of its young people.

We worked with local young people to create a short film, written, produced and performed by local young people. Further outcomes include social media content, OOH ads, a trailer for the film showing at North Finchley Vue, and more, exploring how young people can boost their own mental health, with signposting to the help and support available.

BREAK COMMS partnered again with London Borough of Barnet to deliver youth-centred research informing the borough’s ‘Suicide Prevention Action Plan’ and the development of a practical toolkit for schools and youth organisations responding to self-harm and suicide ideation.

Through qualitative research including focus groups, surveys and consultations with young people aged 12–17, educators, and parents and carers, we explored how support systems are experienced in practice.

The resulting insight report highlighted barriers, gaps and opportunities, providing clear recommendations to help schools, youth organisations and other local authority agencies to create safer, more responsive and better-informed environments for young people’s mental health.