Dylan, a teenager from the Black Country, was once too anxious to leave his bedroom, feeling 'completely stuck' and disconnected from everything. Even small daily tasks felt frightening. However, after a mental health referral, he discovered a love for poetry that helped him open up and regain his confidence. Now, he wants to encourage other young people to seek help if they need it.
Finding a Voice Through Poetry
Reflecting on his journey, Dylan said: 'I felt completely stuck. I didn’t feel connected to anything, and even small things felt frightening.' His recovery began with early mental health support at school, but it was the community-based approach at local hubs that truly unlocked his potential. He initially found his voice at the youth hub formerly known as Routes. Today, services like Reflexions and Here4Youth in Dudley continue to provide these vital, safe spaces, according to a spokesperson for Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
By engaging with creative outlets like poetry, Dylan slowly found his voice and gained the confidence to advocate for others. He added: 'Using poetry helped me say things I couldn’t talk about before. I was really nervous about speaking in public, but once I stepped on stage, it felt like the nerves disappeared. I realised how important it was to speak up about mental health and help others.'
Encouraging Others to Seek Help
Dylan’s message to those struggling is simple: 'Don’t give up hope. There is help all around you. Sometimes you have to make the first move to find it, but the positives that come from it can be extraordinary.'
A spokesperson for Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: 'With national figures showing over one million children in England had active referrals to mental health services in the year to March 2025, many families are looking for ways to access support sooner.'
Early Intervention is Key
Kirsty Moss, a specialist emotional wellbeing nurse, said: 'Dylan’s journey is a powerful reminder of why we should act early. If a young person is starting to pull away from school or social life, that is an important moment to reach out. You don’t need to be in crisis to deserve support, and you don’t need to wait for a clinical referral to find a safe space.'
Spotting the Early Signs
Young people often find it hard to vocalise that they are struggling. Signs to look for include:
- Social withdrawal: Spending more time alone or staying in their room.
- School struggles: Reluctance to attend or difficulty getting through the day.
- Physical symptoms: Frequent complaints of headaches, tummy aches, or fatigue, which can be indicators of underlying worry.
- Communication shifts: If they cannot find the words, they may find it easier to express themselves through music, art, or writing.
How to Access Support
If you are worried about a young person, the best first step is to speak with the Mental Health Lead at their school. They can guide you through the available local options, such as those provided by Reflexions.
