Public health chief highlights importance of good mental wellbeing in young people in annual report
Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Public Health, Ansaf Azhar, is calling for a change in attitudes towards mental health in young people as he launches his latest annual report.
In his annual report, which focuses on mental wellbeing in children and young people, he talks about the importance of good mental health in ensuring healthy, fulfilling and happy lives.
He said: “As we become a ‘Marmot county’, I want to focus on the mental wellbeing of our children and young people to positively influence their future opportunities.
“Good mental health is essential for leading healthy, fulfilling lives, but we’ve seen an unprecedented increase in referrals to mental health services. Around one in five young people in Oxfordshire had a mental health problem in 2023, and demand for services is rising.
“Poor mental wellbeing is a major cause of economic inactivity among young people, while unemployment and lack of opportunities in education and training can also be a driver of mental health issues.
“It is, therefore, important we see all our young people from diverse backgrounds as assets and their mental health is not a barrier to reaching their full potential. We must embed mental wellbeing support across the county, particularly supporting children and young adults in early years, throughout education and through the transition from education to employment.
“All partners have a key role to play in maximising the potential of young people taking their differences into account and ensuring they are ready for the future in a way that reflects their individuality.
“Together, we can not only protect and improve the wellbeing of young people, but also to create a productive and inclusive workforce that is fit to meet the challenging future needs of Oxfordshire.”
Producing an annual report is a requirement for all directors of public health. The reports look independently at issues affecting the health and wellbeing of the population in Oxfordshire and make recommendations for improvement.
The report is available to read in full on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.
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