Young people's mental health

From sharing resources to leading discussions, there are many ways you can promote young people’s mental wellbeing in your church.

Secondary school age children in grey jumpers and blue polo shirts sit in the quire
We believe that the mental health and well-being of young people is of highest importance. Discover the ways that you can work with your local church community to help young people to flourish and fulfil their potential.

What can you do?

Get to know what support is available

There are a number of different mental health charities working to support young people who are struggling. These include:

  • Papyrus: a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. They provide a helpline for young people, as well as delivering suicide prevention training and support to schools and other organisations.
  • Sanctuary Mental Health: offers resources that engage the topics of faith and mental health. These include The Sanctuary Course, a study guide for small groups, designed to start conversations in local churches regarding mental health.
  • Mental Health Collective:  offers activities for people of all ages to help reduce isolation and stigma, and to build connection and hope. These include Kindness by Post.

Start a discussion

The Children’s Society provide specialised guidance and resources for churches looking to do work on improving young people’s mental health. These include a library of downloads to lead adult and youth groups in discussions about faith and mental well-being. You can also invite a volunteer to come and speak at your church.

Complete our well-being trail

If you’re based in London, share our self-guided well-being trail, which takes worshippers around the grounds of St Paul’s for a time of quiet and peaceful reflection.

Our work on young people's mental health

  • We commissioned a research study, conducted by the Diocese of London’s Children and Youth Team, to better understand young people’s experiences during the COVID pandemic, their coping mechanisms and their ideas on how we could better support them in the future.
  • We facilitate activities and workshops designed to reduce loneliness, increase empathy, develop listening skills and build social cohesion.
  • We work in partnership with specialist organisations to raise awareness and connect people to sources of support.
  • We train our staff in Mental Health First Aid to increase our own awareness of mental health issues amongst our visitors, staff and families.

Our resources on mental health

north churchyard carousel image 3
Podcast
Cathedral
Peace
Wellbeing
Wellbeing

Wellbeing trail of St Paul's

An interactive wellbeing trail, with stopping points for reflection, set in the Churchyard and surroundings of St Paul’s Cathedral. Free to access during daylight hours. Suitable for young people and adults of all faiths or none.
The interior of the Chapel at the Royal Foundation of St Katharine with a labyrinth laid out on the floor
Podcast
Spirituality
Wellbeing

An invitation to pause and reflect - an online retreat

An online retreat for those who are active in serving in their local communities in the name of Christ: those who are championing social action and social justice. Based upon a daytime retreat held in November 2021.
Paula Gooder speaking at St Paul's Cathedral
Written reflection
Holy Week
Jesus
Palm Sunday
The Passion

How to live in hard times

Paula Gooder reflects on the story of Palm Sunday, and how it might teach us to live in hard times.
The panellists seated under the dome in St Paul's Cathedral
Film and video
City
Economics
Flourishing
Inequality
London
Mental health
Wellbeing
City

A New Beginning? Recovering well after the pandemic

How can London can be a place of flourishing for all people – culturally, economically, justly - as we move forwards from the pandemic?
John Swinton, Rowan Williams and Tricia Hillas on stage at St Paul's Cathedral
Film and video
Body of Christ
Dementia
Faith
Identity
Memory

Who am I? Identity, Faith and Being Human

Rowan Williams and John Swinton ask what it means to be a human being. Beginning with the insights that working with people with dementia brings, they explore what identity is, personally, collectively and spiritually.
Karen wears glasses and a green and white patterned dress and stands at a lectern with microphone
Film and video
Bodies
Jesus
Mental health
Suffering
The cross
Trauma

This is my body, broken for you: Jesus and trauma

Karen O'Donnell explores questions around Jesus’ experiences with trauma, and how it can enrich our understanding of Christ and humanity.
Michael Curry speaks to a large audience at St Paul's Cathedral

Digital resources

Find films, podcasts and written reflections exploring a huge range of subjects in our digital resources library – from Rowan Williams’ talk ‘Jesus Christ: The Unanswered Questions' to David Suchet’s mesmerising reading of the whole of the Gospel According to Mark.

Search our resources