Exploring young people’s experiences and perceptions of mental health and well-being using photography

Charles, Ashleigh; Felton, Anne

Abstract

© 2019 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Introduction: The mental health of young people is a major global public health concern. A shift in focus towards children and young people’s mental health in the UK has emphasized young people’s voices, as of paramount importance in shaping the path for future quality care provision. The paper examines a study that aimed to explore young people’s perceptions of mental health and well-being using photographs. Method: The methodology employed for this study placed young people at the centre of the research process by using photographs to capture their experiences. Ten young people who attended a youth group used disposable cameras to take photographs of their experiences and perceptions of mental health and well-being. Semi-structured interviews with the young people elicited their narratives behind the images. Data were analysed using photo-elicitation and thematic analysis. Findings: Young people’s experiences of mental health and well-being were internalized and located predominantly in the private and hidden regions of their everyday lives. Stigma, social isolation and marginalization were prevalent whilst spirituality and connection with the environment expressed hope. Conclusion: Mental health appears to be firmly located in the private ‘back regions’ of young individuals’ lives, demonstrating that young people conceptualize these experiences as a vulnerable and hidden part of their being. Understanding the needs of this new generation of youth including the prevalence of stigma, risk of isolation and social exclusion are paramount. Future service provision needs to recognize the extent stigma impacts upon young people’s experiences of mental health and well-being.

Citation

Charles, A., & Felton, A. (2019). Exploring young people’s experiences and perceptions of mental health and well-being using photography. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 25(1), 13-20. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12351

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 19, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Oct 24, 2019
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Dec 3, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 3, 2019
• Journal: Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Print ISSN: 1475-357X
• Electronic ISSN: 1475-3588
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: camh.12351
• Pages: 13-20
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12351
• Keywords: Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health; Psychiatry and Mental health
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3466602
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/camh.12351
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Charles, A. and Felton, A. (2019), Exploring young people’s experiences and perceptions of mental health and well‐being using photography. Child Adolesc Ment Health. doi:10.1111/camh.12351], which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12351. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.