Innovative mental health portal The Mind Map launches

AN innovative new mental health portal:- 'The Mind Map' has been launched. The platform is focused on providing young people, predominantly aged between 16 to 30 access to subsidised counselling, the ability to find and book free mental health services and resources as well as access to a magazine that shares articles and interviews with well known music artists and sports athletes regarding mental health, all in 1 place.

Launched by Liverpool based mental health organisation:- 'The Mind Map,' the platform is the result of a 3 year research project carried out between:- 'The Mind Map' and leading organisations with Mental Health, at the centre, of their agenda with contributions from Liverpool John Moores University, Imperial College London and the NHS amongst others.

Founder Phil Bridges, a Youth Mental Health 1st Aid instructor and Adolescent Mental Health university lecturer said:- "We all have mental health, good or bad. But our research uncovered what we suspected; that young people don't feel they have access to the support they need. Our latest quantitative study into online mental health provisions showed a staggering 88.5% of students at Liverpool John Moores University felt that there were not enough online provisions available.  We have also brought together our 1st wave of BACP accredited therapists who specialise in adolescent mental health. From August 2019, we will be recycling the economy by reinvesting our profits back into our community, supporting those who have the most need and making therapy available for free to those who can't afford it."

'The Mind Map' are aligning action with awareness and promoting a New Normal where people can talk as openly about their emotions, as they'd talk about last night's game or the latest TV series. Browsing their immersive magazine section leads you to international musicians and Premier League footballers talking about everything from anxiety to grief and how they have dealt with their respective life challenges and mental health issues. This creates dialogue, reduces stigma and helps put Mental Health front and centre as an important issue to the young adults of the UK and their welfare.

Police Commissioner launches search for new Youth Ambassadors

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner is looking for 10 enthusiastic, skilled young people to volunteer to support, challenge and inform the work of her office and the wider criminal justice system. Jane Kennedy is looking to recruit a group of new volunteer Youth Ambassadors to help shape the way she engages with young people while giving them a greater voice in policing and community safety matters.

The role will last for 12 months and is open to those aged between 16 and 24, who live, work or study in Merseyside. Youth Ambassadors will meet bi-monthly with the Police Commissioner and her team and will assist in the creation and delivery of a new Youth Engagement Plan, which they will help to share with other young people by visiting schools, youth clubs and community groups across Merseyside. They will also be expected to attend youth engagement events, inform campaigns aimed at young people and review the services offered to their peers.

The new Youth Ambassadors will replace the Commissioner's Youth Advisory Group which has run since 2013.

Jane said:- "I'm looking for 10 enthusiastic, engaged young people who aren't afraid to challenge, have an interest in policing and community safety and want to get fully involved in these new Youth Ambassador roles.  Throughout my time as Merseyside's Police Commissioner, I have been keen to listen to the views of young people. The Youth Advisory Group has been amazing, sharing their views and feedback with me openly and honestly and I have greatly valued their opinions and feedback. The Ambassador role is a development of the Youth Advisory Group and will enable the young people to deliver a closer engagement with and challenge to myself and to the Police. I am looking to recruit a smaller group of dedicated, eager and skilled young people to become even more involved with my work. I am hoping these young people will be real ambassadors for their peers, listening to their views and presenting them to me in order to inform a new Youth Engagement Plan. I'm looking for young people who really want to make a difference and be a voice for change. In exchange, they will get some fantastic opportunities to learn more about policing and the criminal justice system and influence decision making at a senior level. They will also receive a range of training and development opportunities and some great experience to add to their CV."

Any young person interested in applying can find more information and the application form at can be downloaded from:- MerseysidePCC.Info and return it to Info@MerseysidePCC.Info. Alternatively, you can post a copy to:- The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Wavertree Police Station, Wavertree Road, Liverpool L7 1RJ. The deadlines for applications is close of play on Friday, 9 August 2019. For more information, please call:- 0151 777 5155 and ask for a member of the Community Engagement team or email them.