Roundhouse responds to Prof. Fonagy’s comments on young people’s mental health

Following Professor Peter Fonagy’s comments to the BBC about the mental health challenges facing young people, Jenny Mollica, Chief Executive of the Roundhouse, has highlighted the importance of looking beyond clinical health services to the environments and communities in which young people live, learn and grow.

Jenny Mollica, Chief Executive at the Roundhouse, said:

“Professor Peter Fonagy’s comments to the BBC highlight a critical reality: young people are facing unprecedented distress in an increasingly challenging world, and the answer cannot sit with clinical health services alone. The environments and communities around young people play a vital role in shaping their mental health, resilience and sense of belonging.

“At the Roundhouse, we see every day the transformative impact that dedicated spaces to connect, collaborate and create can have on young people’s confidence, well-being and future prospects. These spaces provide vital opportunities for connection and self-expression, helping to build resilience and belonging before crisis hits.

“That is why we established the Young Creatives Commission in partnership with the Centre for Young Lives. The publication of our interim report tomorrow calls for a national strategy to expand creative spaces and non-clinical, community-led support, ensuring that young people across the country – regardless of their background or postcode – have the opportunity to thrive.”

The Young Creatives Commission, established by the Roundhouse in partnership with the Centre for Young Lives, explores how access to creativity and creative spaces can support young people’s wellbeing, development and opportunities.

The Commission’s interim report will be published tomorrow, setting out a call for a national strategy to expand creative spaces and community-led, non-clinical support for young people across the country.