In recent years, the mental wellbeing of young people has become one of the most pressing challenges that we face.

Following an NHS survey that revealed one in five children in the UK now live with a probable mental health disorder, there’s a growing call for action. This is where BrainWaves comes in, aiming to empower young people by promoting mental wellbeing, self-advocacy, and resilience.

BrainWaves aims to study young people’s mental health in order to improve the quality of scientific knowledge surrounding this research area and assist young people with the strategies needed to maintain good mental wellbeing.

At its core, BrainWaves is about supporting the whole child, helping them to understand their emotional landscape, advocate for their needs, and access strategies that build lifelong mental resilience.

Investigating adolescent wellbeing

The NHS survey also revealed calls for increased investment in mental health support in schools and colleges, alongside better data to understand what works. BrainWaves is directly tackling this, collecting data from thousands of young people to inform evidence-based resources that seek to make a difference in UK secondary schools and help teachers and students foster positive wellbeing cultures.

We focus on:

• Improving agency surrounding wellbeing, helping students to understand they have a part to play in supporting their own wellbeing.
• Equipping schools with resources containing practical, scientifically grounded tools to educate and promote students’ wellbeing.
• Developing healthier language around mental wellbeing to reduce stigma and encourage open dialogue.
• Providing opportunities for self-reflection that are simple and effective, focusing on self-improvement and awareness.

By empowering young people with knowledge and strategies, BrainWaves aims to improve wellbeing for all, no matter where they currently sit on a wellbeing scale. 

Powered by science, built for the classroom

What sets BrainWaves apart is our commitment to research and long-term impact. Partnering with experts at the University of Oxford, we’re leading a large and diverse cohort study conducted on adolescent mental health. Over the next decade, we’ll gather vital data on the lived experiences of young people to better understand what shapes wellbeing during adolescence.

The Role of Schools

Schools are on the frontline of this crisis, yet too often lack the time, resources, or training to meet the growing needs of their students. 

That’s why we’re creating resources that fit flexibly into the classroom, providing young people with interactive, age-appropriate tools that help them to explore their emotions, understand their brain, and build resilience.

Want to get involved or learn more? Contact our team at support@brainwaveshub.org