YPAS joined Young Minds at the 2025 Labour Party Conference to amplify the message of the Future Minds campaign – a national call for urgent change in how mental health services support young people.
With the mental health crisis only worsening; the campaign is pushing for a system that works with young people, not against them. That means accessible support in every community, consistency across the country and services shaped by those who use them most – young people themselves.
The Need for a System that Works for Young People
The current mental health system is falling short. Grace Ward, a peer researcher at YPAS, has spent over a decade navigating it and says it’s time for real change:
“I’ve spent 10 years trying to make things better, and I’m getting more passionate by the day. We keep having the same conversations, just with different people. Something really needs to change.”
She also challenges the idea that rising rates of mental illness are simply down to overdiagnosis:
“It’s a dangerous rhetoric that’s blocking young people from getting the help they need. They should be able to access support without needing a diagnosis.”
The Future Minds campaign calls for the development of community-based support hubs (like those at YPAS) that provide practical, local mental health support without unnecessary barriers.
Lived Experience Must Shape Services
Young people with lived experience are central to the campaign. Lee Weston, a peer researcher at YPAS, grew up in care and later spent time in the criminal justice system. He says the lack of support during and after these experiences had serious consequences:
“I’ve been through the system myself – moving from placement to placement and ending up in the criminal justice system at 16. The lack of support is staggering, especially for care leavers and young people exiting the criminal justice system.”
Lee believes the only way to make services better is to put young people with lived experience at the heart of decision-making:
“Lived experience is key. If young people aren’t involved in shaping mental health services, they’ll continue to fall through the cracks.”
We Know What Works – Now We Need Action
Grace Goodman, another YPAS peer researcher, believes involving young people in policy design is essential:
“The government needs to do a lot more with young people, not to them. They need to listen to what young people actually care about and give them platforms to share their views.”
She’s clear that action must follow words:
“We know what works. We need more youth hubs and mental health support. Let’s stop talking about it and start making it happen.”
The Future Minds campaign isn’t asking for another round of consultations – it’s calling for immediate steps to improve access to the support young people need now.
The Future Minds Campaign: A Vision for Change
Led by young people and supported by organisations like YPAS and Young Minds, the Future Minds campaign calls for a mental health system built around accessibility, consistency and meaningful youth involvement. It’s about moving beyond promises and delivering real, lasting support.
At YPAS, we stand with Future Minds. We believe every young person, no matter their background, can get the help they need, when they need it.
Find out more about the Future Minds campaign at:
youngminds.org.uk/support-us/join-the-movement/future-minds
Huge thanks to Charlotte, Ellie, Zoheb, Kadra, Adam, Greg and Ellie for their incredible work on this vital campaign.
