This series of Raising Teens covers accessing mental heath services, supporting adolescent trauma, eating disorders, the transition from teen to adult, neurodiversity in teens, and support in schools. Host Clare Cowan and Make (Good) Trouble’s young reporter, Lola Ray (above right), bring stories from teens and experts to discuss how we can help young people.
Raising Teens is broadcast on BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey and BBC Sounds at 7pm every Friday from 5 January 2024, for 6 weeks. You can catch up on all previous episodes on the BBC website, or find links to specific episodes in this series below.
👏 Series 5 is supported by NHS Sussex.
👉 Looking for Series One, Series Two, Series Three or Series Four?
Episode 1: Accessing Mental Health Services
In this episode new series host, Clare Cowan, discusses how parents & carers can navigate the system to find the right services and resources for their child. Make (Good) Trouble’s Lola Ray has also talked to young people about the kinds of support they need and what they’ve done to find support.
Guests for episode 1 are Lisa Witherden from YMCA DownsLink Group, Head of wellbeing and therapeutic services; Mark Cox, Accident & Emergency Junior Doctor and founder at Lumi; and Kai Willbridge, Practice Manager at BHCC for the Whitehawk Family Hub
👉 Help & Advice: Accessing Mental Health Services
🎧 Listen to Episode 1: Getting mental health support on BBC Sounds
First broadcast on Friday 5 January 2024 on BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey.
Episode 2: Supporting Adolescent Trauma
In this episode of Raising Teens, new series host Clare Cowan discusses what happens when a child experiences trauma in their early years. Traumatic experiences can result in behaviours which can cause distress – to the child, their families and communities. These can include self-harm, risk-taking and being vulnerable to criminal exploitation. How do we intervene early to work with young people in our communities and help prevent family breakdowns and escalation? How can parents, the wider family, and friends provide support?
Guests for episode 2 are Emily Kerr, Clinical Service Manager for the CAMHS Crisis and Home Treatment Team (Registered Mental Health Nurse); Rachael Swann, CEO of Grassroots; Jo Parker – Integrative Arts Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor, and Professional Adviser for parent consultations at Young Minds; and Hugh Miller, Senior Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist.
🎧 Listen to Episode 2: Supporting adolescent trauma on BBC Sounds.
First broadcast on Friday 12 January 2024 on BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey.
Episode 3: Eating Disorders
There has been a huge rise in the number of young people receiving treatment for eating disorders. Almost 10,000 children and young people in England started treatment between April and December 2021, a rise of almost two thirds since before the pandemic. And there’s been a 90% rise in hospital admissions over the last 5 years. In this episode, we explore how parents and carers can understand what’s happening to their teens and find the right support. We look at what‘s behind this sharp rise and how services can keep up with the need for treatment. What should we be doing as a society to help our young people who may be struggling?
Guests for episode 3 are Tom Quinn, Director of External Affairs at BEAT Eating Disorder charity; Dr Selma Stafford, Clinical director for NHS Sussex, GP, and BEAT Trustee; and Tanya Procter, Joint Commissioner Health and Wellbeing in Schools in West Sussex.
👉 Help & Advice: Eating disorders
🎧 Listen to Episode 3: Eating disorders on BBC Sounds
Broadcast on Friday 19 January 2024 on BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey.
Episode 4: From Teen to Adult
This episode focuses on the journey from teen to adult, which is complex and can be hard to navigate without support and guidance. The teenage brain, changes in hormones, and upheavals in a teens’ personal life can be overwhelming, confusing and challenging. Pressures on young people are increasing as they move to adulthood.
Almost half of teens have lowered expectations for their future because of the rising cost of living, according to the latest Prince’s Trust Youth Index. In this episode of Raising Teens, we look into how we can support young people to make positive decisions about their future and best prepare to navigate the challenges of life.
Our guests for episode 4 are Jenny Warwick – qualified counsellor, specialises in supporting and guiding parents and carers of tweens and teens; Dr Rick Fraser – Consultant Psychiatrist accredited as a specialist in both CAMHS and General Adult Psychiatry; and Helen Baxter – Hangleton & Knoll Project Youth Worker Manager.
👉 Help & Advice: The teenage brain
🎧 Listen to Episode 4: From teen to adult on BBC Sounds.
First broadcast on Friday 26 January 2024 on BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey.
Episode one 5: Neurodiversity in Teens
It’s estimated that 15-20% of children and young people in the UK are neurodivergent (National Statistics, 2023). That means they have differences in how their brain functions to what is considered ‘typical’. Neurodivergent conditions include ADHD and Autism. This episode of Raising Teens looks at the experiences of neurodivergent young people and how families can support their children so they can develop and thrive. We also look at what role getting a diagnosis plays in that. Whilst neurodiversity isn’t a mental health condition, many children and young people experience challenges with their mental health. They face social pressures to behave ‘appropriately’ – or like their neurotypical peers – at school, in friendship groups, and communities. Coping strategies can take a huge toll on their emotional wellbeing.
Our guests for episode 5 are Hamish Gale – Senior Manager of Specialist Teaching Services ESCC; Dr Tracey Atkins – Specialist Educational Psychologist for East Sussex County Council; and Sav Kanagasundaram – NDP Family Training & Navigation Service Manager at Amaze Sussex.
👉 Help & Advice pages for Neurodiversity – autism and ADHD
🎧 Listen to Raising Teens: Neurodiversity on BBC Sounds.
First broadcast on 2 February 2024 on BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey
Episode 6: School Support for Mental Health
The mental health crisis in young people is escalating, and in this episode of Raising Teens we look at what mental health support is available in schools. Long-term, children and young people who struggle with their mental health are more likely to have poorer physical health and economic outcomes than their peers. We discuss how schools can help to improve the outlook for our young people, what help children are entitled to and whether schools are equipped to provide that support and help prevent the need for clinical treatment. It’s not known how many children are educated at home, but in a report this week from Schools Week, it’s estimated that there has been a rise of 60% since the pandemic. What support can home-schooled young people expect?
Our guests for episode 6 are Emma Sharpe – MHST Team Lead, Senior Primary Mental Health Worker, Schools Mental Health Service Brighton and Hove City Council; Harriet Peach – Digital and Participation Lead, YMCA DownsLink Group; and Nicholson Davids – Production Coordinator, AudioActive.
👉 Help & advice pages: School, anxiety and refusal, SEND and schools, University
🎧 Listen to Raising Teens: Support in Schools on BBC Sounds.
First broadcast 9 February 2024 on BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey.
Raising Teens Series 5 host, Clare Cowan in the BBC studio.