Fareham group sees teenage mental health referrals up by 50 per cent during lockdown

The Upturn project, which sees Solent Mind support teenagers aged 14 to 18 from the Fareham Wellbeing Centre, in West Street, has seen its caseload swell from 40 vulnerable young people to more than 65.

An increasing number of people are turning to the project with anxiety and sleep problems, according to Caroline Payne, a well-being manager at the centre.

She said: ‘We have had an influx of people needing help since lockdown.

‘It is the most referrals we have ever had come through in this such a short period of time.

‘We are dealing with a lot of sleep problems at the moment – that’s quiet heightened.

‘I think the isolation is affecting quiet a lot of them.’

A survey of 1,000 readers of The News found more than one in ten say their mental health has been severely affected by the lockdown, now in its eighth week.

It comes as the Upturn project and two other groups in Fareham have secured funding to continue their work to support young people throughout the coronavirus crisis.

The Zurich Community Trust, the charitable arm of insurance group Zurich UK, has given more than £15,000 to the three Fareham groups.

With the Upturn project receiving £5,000, Caroline said: ‘Fundraising has taken a hit – but we should have enough money to keep going until the end of the year.’

Charity Kids has received £3,000 to fund its Fareham and Gosport Young Carers service, and You Raise Me Up, a bereavement service for people aged 16-25, has received a £8,720.

Steve Grimmett, head of The Zurich Community Trust, said: ‘We are aware of the huge impact Covid-19 is already having on charities.

‘We’ve all seen how fundraising is being hit hard already at a time when demand for charities’ services are increasing along with the costs incurred to deliver these.’

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