Expectations and pressures on young people are overwhelming. We're told to excel academically or get promoted at work so we can afford to live, but at the same time we must socialise in every spare minute, have a trillion hobbies, tons of friends, great family relationships, look presentable, sleep 8 hours a night, go to the gym and always eat 5-a-day. 

This pressure is unhealthy for everyone, and makes life especially difficult for those who are disabled or neurodivergent. This relentless pace of life leaves no time for building emotional resilience through resting, reflection, connecting with feelings and nature. Mental ill-health and burnout by age 25 becomes normal. 

When I found myself in this situation in 2021, Youth Talk were there to listen. Youth Talk offer psychological support for young people. They are a small charity in St Albans, with a team of 11 counsellors, offering up to 44 sessions of free psychodynamic therapy to 13-25 year-olds. This level of support is life-changing. 

It costs £50 to provide one session, and £1000 to fund one local young person through the average course of counselling at Youth Talk. Any donation, however small, will keep this incredible charity going, and enable them to help more people each year.



If you are eligible, ticking the Gift Aid box means Youth Talk can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give from HMRC. It will not cost you any extra.