[PMC: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

Social connections don’t just feel good, they lower stress! Oxytocin released during positive interactions reduces cortisol, heart rate & blood pressure.

Loneliness does the opposite, keeping stress systems activated and affecting sleep, mood and brain function.

#StressAwarenessMonth #StressTips

You don’t need a 20-minute session to benefit from mindfulness!

Microdosing mindfulness - short bursts lasting a minute or less - can help reduce stress, improve focus and support wellbeing.

It can stop stress spirals, lower cortisol, help focus & emotional regulation

#StressAwarenessMonth

Did you know? Techniques like rhythmic breathing or cold-water exposure stimulate the Vagus Nerve, which tells your body to lower its cortisol levels.

Your vagus nerve is like a two-way pathway between body and brain. Stimulating it can calm your stress response by lowering cortisol!

We work with educational institutions to help improve students #mentalwellbeing.

From resources for teachers and parents & caregivers, to resources for students, we can work with you to make your school more mentally healthy.

Find out more at: www.ypmh.org/collaborate-...

- Understand: Look at the full picture - biological, psychological and social factors
- Innovate: Develop practical, evidence-informed solutions
- Implement: Make those solutions work in real-life settings
Too often, good ideas don’t reach the people who need them. We focus on changing that.

What is the YPMH methodology?
We already have a lot of knowledge about mental health.
But turning that into real-world change is where things often break down.

Our approach is simple:
Understand → Innovate → Implement

The stress sleep loop: what is it?

When you’re stressed, your body produces more cortisol - the hormone that keeps you alert. At the same time, stress can disrupt melatonin - the hormone that controls your sleep cycle.

#StressAwarenessMonth

Mental health matters in the workplace.

Bring your team together and help change systems and improve the future of young people's mental health with YPMH.

Find out how you can get involved today: www.ypmh.org/collaborate-...

#youngpeoplesmentalhealth #CollaborateToInnovate

April is #StressAwarenessMonth, and what better way to start it off than a new YPMH blog all about cortisol (our stress hormone)!

Find out: what cortisol actually is, how it affects us, what you can do to lower your cortisol levels and more.

Read all about it: www.ypmh.org/stress-corti...

Are you 16–25 with experience of being detained under the Mental Health Act (CAMHS)? Or are you a carer/supporter of someone who has?
The ACDI project is running focus groups to improve how mental health services work.

Find out more below

#GetInvolved

By collaborating with #YPMH, your company can help change the future of #youngpeoplesmentalhealth for the better.

Together, we can build a collaboration that will benefit your business and help prevent, detect and reduce #mentalhealth conditions in young people.

www.ypmh.org/collaborate-...

Did you know?
Chewing more can significantly improve digestion and nutrient absorption. One study found that people absorbed around 20% less nutrition from almonds when they chewed just 10 times compared to 40!

doi.org/10.3945/ajcn...

#FoodForThought #FoodResearch #MentalHealth

Research has found that eating 30+ different plant foods a week boosts a more diverse gut microbiome 💚

Support gut health, aim for variety across all six plant groups. Each plant provides unique nutrients, fibres, and phytochemicals that supplements can’t replicate.

#GutHealth #PlantDiversity

Spring is here! 🌱
The #SpringEquinox brings longer days, blossoms, lambs, and birdsong. Take inspiration from nature to refresh your mind:
• Walk or garden in green spaces
• Set small, positive goals
• Prioritise sleep, seasonal foods, and short digital breaks

#mentalhealth

Home | Reasons To Stay

#ReasonstoStay is a project sharing anonymous letters from real people to anyone having a hard moment. Each letter is a small act of care for someone who needs it.

You can also write a note yourself and pass on hope 💌

reasonstostay.co.uk

#mentalhealth

Young people’s mental health is shaped many factors, and interventions must navigate complex biological, social & systemic factors.

Supporting #youngpeople’smentalhealth takes joined-up thinking, c#ollaboration, and consistent action.

Work with us to create change: www.ypmh.org/collaborate-...

If you’re aged 14+ and want to shape the future of care, take our 15-minute survey today. Your voice matters.

Follow the link below or scan the QR code for more information and to complete the survey.

rdashresearch1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

#mentalhealth

#TeamYPMH took on the #CambridgeHalfMarathon on Sunday and have so far raised a whopping £7000 for YPMH!

They joined 15000+ runners on the scenic route through the historical city, that YPMH was founded in.

A big thank you to all our wonderful runners for going the extra mile (literally!) ❤️

A recent #YouthEndowmentFund study surveyed nearly 11,000 children aged 13–17 across England and Wales found:
• 53% have used some form of online #mentalhealth support in the past year
• 25% have specifically used AI chatbots

Yet only a small proportion are receiving professional support

Can you help them reach their goals? You can find their JustGiving pages below:

www.justgiving.com/page/sam-cam...

www.justgiving.com/page/melissa...

www.justgiving.com/page/jasmine...

www.justgiving.com/page/hannah-...

www.justgiving.com/page/pacific...

www.justgiving.com/page/kimbolton

Good luck Team YPMH!

This Sunday, our incredible #TeamYPMH runners are taking on the Cambridge Half Marathon, raising vital funds to help change the future of young people's mental health.

Thank you all for your dedication and hard work ❤️

#CambridgeHalfMarathon #YPMH #youngpeoplesmentalhealth

We're on a mission to make research and innovation work better for #youngpeoplesmentalhealth.

But we can't do it alone.

Improving mental health systems is a collective effort, and we all play a role in helping young people before they reach crisis point.

Get in touch today: contact@ypmh.org

March is #NationalNutritionMonth, and this month we're going to bring you everything you need to know about food and how it impacts our #mentalhealth.

From reducing chronic inflammation, to supporting a healthy gut microbiome - what we eat really does do more for us than we think!

#foodforthought

Did you know? 2026 is the #NationalYearofReading! 📖
Reading isn’t just enjoyable, it’s good for your mental health.

Whether you prefer stories, non-fiction, or audiobooks, reading is a simple way to support your wellbeing every day.

What have you been reading this month?

#mentalhealth

Workout videos vs going to the gym? Is one better for us than the other?

The answer: no!

When it comes to our #mentalhealth, any physical movement, even housework and gardening can help improve our mental wellbeing!

Which one do you prefer?

Would you eat bamboo?

New research shows bamboo may help: Regulate blood sugar, reduce inflammation, improve gut health and act as an antioxidant.

Packed with protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals, it might even support beneficial gut bacteria.

#foodforthought #youngpeoplesmentalhealth

A new review of 69 trials with nearly 5,000 adults found that light and moderate exercise can relieve #depression as effectively as antidepressants.

Research does note some limitations, but exercise is a powerful addition to mental health support!

Read the study: doi.org/10.1002/1465...

It’s Shrove Tuesday - aka Pancake Day! 🥞

While pancakes might feel like a treat, the right toppings can also support your brain and gut health.

Here are some of our top mentally healthy toppings to try!

#mentallyhealthfulfoods #foodforthought #pancakeday #youngpeoplesmentalhealth

Not sure what to do this Lent? 🌿 Add in a few things that support your #mentalwellbeing:

• Eat more mentally healthful foods
• Move daily
• Practice good sleep hygiene
• Try a new hobby

Even small changes can help you feel calmer and more resilient. Which will you try first? 💛