A NEW programme that aims to help children and young people live a life that is mentally healthy has been launched today by a Dorset charity.

Dorset Mind Your Head has been pioneered by Dorset Mind after a successful pilot scheme, which began in January this year.

The programme is aimed at children and young people aged between 11 and 24 years of age in schools, colleges, universities and youth centres.

It offers a comprehensive range of activity that includes assemblies, workshops, PHSE lessons, one-to-one counselling, peer mentoring, befriending and drop-in support groups.

Schools across Dorset are already leading the way with the scheme.

These include Corfe Hills in Poole,The Grange in Christchurch, The Blandford School, The Purbeck School, and Bournemouth Collegiate School.

Since the pilot began in January, Dorset Mind Your Head has reached 4,250 children, young people and their parents across the county.

Marianne Storey, chief executive officer of Dorset Mind, , said. “This is a first for Dorset and a programme that has considerable demand.

“Teaching young people how to live their lives mentally healthy, preventing difficulties, building resilience and catching mental health problems early, before they have a chance to mature in later life is essential.

“Alarmingly, over seventy per cent of children and adolescents who experience a mental health condition, acute or otherwise, don’t receive the proper support they need.”

“Our aim is to stop this in its tracks and ensure our children and young people have a future that is free of the shackles of mental health difficulties.”

Ms Storey said NHS mental services in the county are struggling.

Dorset Mind Your Head aims to compliment the work of CAMHS (NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) professionals.

“One in ten young people have a diagnosable mental health condition and over half of adult mental health problems start before the age of fourteen so we know that there is a real need locally,” Ms Storey added.

“The good news is that children and young people are incredibly self-aware and are open to talking about their mental health, much more than we find in adults.”

Dorset Mind Your Head also offers five free support groups across the county.

For details on times and locations go to www.dorsetmindyourhead.co.uk