Evidence library

Research report from Centred, Highland’s leading mental health charity. "Our research aimed to gather information from young people living in the Highlands of Scotland, to gain a better understanding about how different dimensions identified as important in the wider literature, impact or influence their mental health and wellbeing. Given the many issues currently facing young people in rural areas, it is our hope that we can add to the knowledge base on rural youth mental health and encourage an ongoing dialogue as to how best to go forward, one that recognises young people as ‘experts by experience’."

Key Issues • The perception of deprivation and/or limitation was a constant feature across all areas of the study. Respondents felt that their rural communities were lacking, chiefly, in access to appropriate mental health support, public amenities, and future prospects. • Although many participants felt they were satisfied with the current status of their social lives, there were still others who felt isolated and had difficulty acclimating to society because of the anxieties they had developed during the lockdown. Some comments indicated that participants had little recourse to address their anxieties. • Friends and family were deemed to be the most important contributors to good mental wellbeing, even more so than dedicated mental health support services. This might be due to the easy accessibility of the former, or lack of awareness, availability, or accessibility of the latter. • Considerable room for schools to provide greater pastoral support to students; a more focused effort to engage with issues of mental health, and the fostering of trust amongst students to school staff are two particular areas which could be improved upon.