'Meeting my youth worker is the only time I eat a meal with another person'

The coronavirus has left an estimated two million more young people in need of help. Where do they go when youth clubs are shut?

Beth Gee, 19, has been attending Creative Networks, a youth club in Bristol city centre, for the last three years. “It’s a place to hang out, see my friends,” she says. “I can also talk to staff if I’m feeling anxious.”

Gee says that before the pandemic, she was having weekly face-to-face support at the youth club, in addition to support from her local mental health services. Now she can no longer attend the youth club, so can’t see her friends. Gee is relieved that at least her community mental health team has switched to remote counselling. She has autism, an eating disorder and anxiety issues. “I’m lucky, I’m still getting support, but it’s on the phone now and instead of getting an hour, it’s more like 20 minutes,” she says.

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Wb5LOj