Best For You is pleased to announce the release of three new films for young people and families, marking the launch of a weekly series created with backing from YouTube.

With research showing over 75% of young people commonly engage with YouTube1, the global video-sharing platform supports billions of health video views every year in the UK. Work to combat misinformation, particularly around some of the most commonly searched health conditions, is therefore critical.

Best For You launched in 2021 in response to the UK-wide crisis in young people’s mental health. It brings together new, state-of-the-art NHS spaces, community partnerships, and innovative digital tools to make it easier for young people to access the mental health support they need. The programme is run in partnership by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, West London NHS Trust, and CW+.

This Children’s Mental Health Week, Best For You is releasing three videos as part of its launch of a new series of films. ‘What does alcohol mean to you?’ is released today (3 February), followed by ‘How to tell someone about self-harm’ on Wednesday 5 February and ‘How to manage anxiety by understanding your brain’ on Friday 7 February. After Children’s Mental Health Week, new films will continue to be released weekly as a result of funding from YouTube. Future videos will cover common concerns including eating disorders and social media, how CBT helps with depression, and seeking an autism diagnosis, as well as conditions including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Johan Redelinghuys, Child Psychiatrist, Clinical Director for North West London CAMHS Provider Collaborative, and Clinical Director for Best For You, said: ‘We have worked collaboratively with young people and clinicians to develop these films, responding to commonly asked questions about mental health to ensure that young people searching online have access to safe, accurate information from a UK-based source.

‘Crucially, our content reaches young people wherever they’re at, whether they have initial questions about mental health or concerns about their friends’ wellbeing, or whether they’re waiting for appointments with mental health services or learning to cope following a diagnosis of a serious mental health condition.

‘Thanks to the generous support of YouTube, Best For You is able to directly respond to the threat of online misinformation and ensure those starting to struggle with their wellbeing can access timely information, signposting, and early intervention. Simultaneously, our content supports those struggling with complex mental health needs, including through reducing stigma and misinformation among their peers.’

Crucial to the programme’s choice to partner with YouTube are the platform’s sector-leading verification tools, making it clear which videos are from trusted sources, such as NHS organisations and genuine, licensed healthcare workers.

As the programme is run in partnership by NHS organisations, Best For You videos are eligible for inclusion on YouTube’s ‘health shelf’ – a list of videos at the top of search results that are explicitly labelled to be from health sources providing medical information, education, and signposting.

James Porter, Director of Campaigns and Major Programmes at CW+, said: ‘Online misinformation, some of it well intentioned, contributes to stigma and is one of many factors exacerbating the youth mental health crisis in the UK.

‘Our partnership with YouTube allows Best For You to tackle the issue of misinformation head-on. Their financial support has enabled us to make high-quality videos, including an award-winning animation, and the health shelves and ongoing support from the team at YouTube have been instrumental as we establish our channel in response to the questions and needs of young people in our local communities and beyond.’

Vishaal Virani, Head of Health, YouTube UK & Ireland, said: ‘We are delighted to have been able to support Best For You in its journey on YouTube, where it is now creating much-needed content for young people.

‘At YouTube Health we want to ensure that experts, like the team behind Best For You, are able to create the best possible content and reach a wide audience with their high-quality, clinically verified information.

‘As a partnership between NHS organisations, Best For You is uniquely placed to create content for young people about mental health and wellbeing, and we look forward to continuing to work together.’

Find the first three videos on the Best For You YouTube channel (Best For You NHS) and subscribe to be notified of future releases in the series. For more information about how Best For You is improving access to mental health support for young people, and to find out how you can support this innovative programme, visit the CW+ website (https://www.cwplus.org.uk/best-for-you/).