Senedd debate highlights research centre’s partnership with young people

A recent debate in Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament praised the ongoing partnership between the Wolfson Centre and young people in the field of youth mental health research.

The short debate, tabled by Plaid Cymru’s Spokesperson for Health and Social Care Rhun Ap Iorwerth MS, discussed the need to ensure access for young people to mental health support services in Wales.

The Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle, responded to the debate and highlighted the importance of listening to young people with lived mental health experiences.

The Deputy Minister said: “ Listening to young people with lived mental health experience is crucial, and we do have robust mechanisms in place to support this. We're also working in partnership with the Wolfson Centre at Cardiff University.

“This is a multi-disciplinary team aiming to understand the causes of adolescent mental health problems and inform new ways of supporting our young people.

One of the Wolfson Centre’s Youth Advisory Group members said in response: “It's an incredible feeling to know that the world-leading work carried out by the Wolfson Centre is not being taken for granted by members of the Senedd.

“Those at the Wolfson Centre are working hard to ensure that young voices are not only heard but respected enough to inform research and policy. So to have that recognised in parliament is a huge step towards truly meaningful approaches that will ultimately protect the mental health of our future generations.”

Another Wolfson Centre Youth Advisor added: “Hearing our youth advisory groups mentioned and being part of the YAG feels like the voices of young people are, for the first time, being listened to and taken seriously. I already feel like I’m making a difference, and we’ve only had 3 meetings!”

Emma Meilak, the Wolfson Centre's Youth Advisory Groups' facilitator, concluded: “We are really pleased to see our collaborative work with young people highlighted by the Welsh Government in the Senedd chamber this month.

“The work of our new youth advisory groups offers us invaluable insight and direction into the research we are doing to improve the lives of young people facing mental health challenges.

“We are looking forward to continuing to strengthen these collaborative relationships with both young people and policymakers to ensure the voices of those with lived experiences are heard at every stage of our work and our research can have an effective impact on youth mental health policy.”

Learn more about the Wolfson Centre's Youth Advisory Groups.