Shedding light on children’s mental health with Dr Alex George

Children and young people across the UK are facing short, medium and long-term impacts on their mental health and emotional wellbeing, and for many, issues have worsened as a result of the pandemic.

For this year’s BBC Children in Need Appeal, Dr Alex George will present a powerful and timely film following the journeys of young people across the UK who are living with mental health issues. ‘Dr Alex: Our Young Mental Health Crisis’ will see Alex explore the wide range of mental health issues currently impacting children and young people and find out how local charities, including BBC Children in Need funded projects, are making a difference.

Dr Alex visiting BBC Children in Need funded project Jigsaw4u

As an A&E doctor, who serves as the UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador and advises the government on mental health, Alex has seen first-hand the effects of the pandemic on young people’s mental wellbeing, but he never thought it would affect his own family. In July 2020, Alex’s 19-year-old brother Llŷr – who had been struggling with anxiety during lockdown – took his own life.

In this film, Alex will follow the journeys of young people who are facing mental health issues, and explore the difference that can be made thanks to local charities and projects like SAFA, The Wave Project and YoungMinds.

These past 18 months have been incredibly hard, and have impacted the lives of so many children and young people, many of whom have been left feeling sad, anxious and alone. I hope this film brings hope and shines a light on the remarkable charities and projects across the UK that are making a difference when it is needed most.

Dr Alex George

BBC Children in Need exists to ensure that every child or young person has the opportunity to thrive and be the best they can be. This means helping children and young people to overcome any challenges they may be facing, including supporting their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Facing increased worry and uncertainty, children’s mental health has been drastically impacted by the Covid-19 crisis, but thanks to donations from the UK public, BBC Children in Need is currently funding 1,500 projects supporting children and young people across the UK with their emotional wellbeing and mental health to a value of £97m.

To find out more, please go to bbcchildreninneed.co.uk.

Don’t miss ‘Dr Alex George: Our Young Mental Health Crisis’, Sunday 14th November at 22.30 on BBC One and catch up on BBC iPlayer.