Black Future Academy Youth Question Time

This youth question time was the latest in a series of topical debates organized by the Black Future. Mental Health is a sensitive topic in our society. Over the last couple of months, young people have been attending regular sessions through the Black Future Academy to learn about mental illness, how it affects us and the causes and symptoms.

Boston Williams (16), host for the evening, got involved with Black Future through the summer scheme last year and through the Academy has got involved with various projects. The Academy gives young people the opportunity to earn an accredited award. He is currently working towards his Youth Achievement Award and has successfully achieved his V50 Award, as have others.

“Being involved in the Black Future projects has been enlightening for me” says Boston. At 16, Boston is a shining example of what the project continues to achieve.

The mental health question time aims to raise awareness of mental health issues within the Black community. One in four of us have suffered from ill mental health at some point in our lives. Imagine, a quarter of the population affected by these illnesses. However, mental ill health is widely stigmatized within our communities, even though it can happen to anyone of us and has more than likely affected every one of us in some way, shape or form.

“Through the sessions, we learnt about all kinds of mental illness, including bullying, depression, self-harm and schizophrenia. We learnt about symptoms, causes and treatment. A lot of the young people were shocked at first, but now understand that this is something that can affect everyone,” says Boston.

The debate centered on issues that young people face, with questions from the young people to an expert panel. Young people need to know where to go to get help and need to know how to challenge stereotypes. Importantly, young people need to have their questions answered and be able to talk openly and honestly about issues that affect them.

To conclude the event was a certificate and award presentation; with special guest European Champion ‘Rendall ‘2Tone’ Munroe’. 24 young people achieved accredited outcomes, whilst a further 36 received certificates for their outstanding work and achievement not just based on this event but also for the commitment over the summer.

“Through the sessions, we learnt about all kinds of mental illness, including bullying, depression, self-harm and schizophrenia. We learnt about symptoms, causes and treatment. A lot of the young people were shocked at first, but now understand that this is something that can affect everyone,” says Boston.

The debate centered on issues that young people face, with questions from the young people to an expert panel. Young people need to know where to go to get help and need to know how to challenge stereotypes. Importantly, young people need to have their questions answered and be able to talk openly and honestly about issues that affect them.

To conclude the event was a certificate and award presentation; with special guest European Champion ‘Rendall ‘2Tone’ Munroe’. 24 young people achieved accredited outcomes, whilst a further 36 received certificates for their outstanding work and achievement not just based on this event but also for the commitment over the summer.

This event was eye-opening. Boston said, “I don’t want people to come to this event and just listen. I want people to leave here with a different level of awareness, to have learnt something and to see things in a different way.” This was certainly achieved and everyone came away with a better understanding. The way the subject was handled was frank and intelligent, with an enormous degree of maturity. If these young people are our future, then the future is very bright.

This event was eye-opening. Boston said, “I don’t want people to come to this event and just listen. I want people to leave here with a different level of awareness, to have learnt something and to see things in a different way.” This was certainly achieved and everyone came away with a better understanding. The way the subject was handled was frank and intelligent, with an enormous degree of maturity. If these young people are our future, then the future is very bright.