Published on: 19/05/2026
Children and young people in the UK are facing an unprecedented mental health challenge. According to NHS England, around one in five young people aged 8–25 now has a probable mental health disorder1. Anxiety, low mood, self-harm, eating disorders and sleep problems are increasingly common.
Young people are searching for four things (among many other things!) that actually improve a healthy sense of wellbeing: validation, meaning, loving connection and purpose. These are God-given needs. But when they are sought in unhealthy places—social media, popularity, achievement, toxic relationships or endless online content—they can fuel anxiety and insecurity for any of us!
The Bible speaks directly into these things:
- Validation: Psalm 37: 6 (The Message): “He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon”.
- Meaning: Psalm 139: 14 (NIV) “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
- Loving connection: 1 John 3: 1 (NIV): “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
- Purpose: Ephesians 2: 10 (NIV): “We are God’s handiwork, created… to do good works.”
If these things support the mental health of our young people and children, how can we better offer them in our churches and groups?
As Christians, we could be specialists in providing: a sense of belonging, love, trusted relationships, opportunities for service and real hope. Faith can significantly boost our emotional well-being. Faith is linked to a strong sense of self-efficacy, self-reliance, and greater trust in personal resources to handle life2.
Faith does not eliminate mental illness but can provide a foundation when life feels unstable. How can we love our children and young people and walk with them in faith’s journey to build up their resilience for all they will encounter in life?
Dr Simon Cross shared at the Diocesan Lecture in March, “The truth is that nobody at this point has a clue how to build a machine of loving grace.“ That is the church’s opportunity, that is our responsibility.
Mental wellbeing is profoundly shaped by daily habits. Let’s encourage our young people to build healthy rhythms:
- Plenty of sleep
- Nutritious food
- Exercise and outdoor activity
- Face-to-face friendships
- Prayer and worship
- Creative outlets such as music, sport, writing, dance, art or crafts
When these are replaced by constant scrolling and screen time, both body and soul suffer. Are our churches places where healthy rhythms can be taught and exercised? (And I don’t mean to sleep during sermons!)
The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control (Galatians 5: 23). This means learning to guard what we consume and how we think. As Paul writes, “Whatever is true… think about such things” (Philippians 4: 8).
As youth and children’s ministers, we are not called to fix every problem. We are called to notice, listen, pray, create healthy communities and point young people to Jesus. We should also encourage families to seek professional help from GPs, CAMHS and counsellors when needed.
Christ offers more than coping. He came to give life with joy and abundance (John 10: 10). In a world of noise, comparison and pressure, the Church can help young people find belonging, identity and loving connection in Him. How do we do that in our churches?
This week’s Blog post was written by Mike North, Children and Young People’s Adviser