About uS
uS supports young people aged between 12 and 25 living in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, experiencing mental health difficulties.
uS helps young people to become physically active and improve their lives by funding bespoke sports and other physical activities programmes.
Our offer is tailored to meet the needs of small groups and individuals with the choice of activities being informed by the young people themselves. Sessions are run by suitably qualified specialist coaches in each activity.
We deliver on an outreach basis, using the facilities of partner organisations including schools, colleges, universities and leisure centres.
In the future, uS aspires to open centres housing sports and fitness and other activities to provide opportunities for young people experiencing mental health difficulties to improve their quality of life.
You can find our more about uS by visiting our website: usactive.org.uk
The benefits of getting active
Young people tell us that participating in exercise and sport gives them a buzz and makes them feel good. This is confirmed by research that tells us that when we exercise our brain releases ?feel good? chemicals.
Participation in physical activity:
● Improves mental and physical health
● Lifts mood
● Provides opportunities to socialise and develop friendships
● Helps raise self-esteem and confidence as personal goals are achieved
● Can counter the side-effects of mental health treatments.
Long term, this can lead to success in education, training and employment, and allows young people to make a positive impact on family and community life.
Mental illness is very common
US aims to destigmatise mental illness and enhance support to young people.
● 1 in 10 children suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder ? that is about 3 children in every class!
● 1 in 4 adults have a common mental illness and more than half were diagnosed in childhood
● In 2010 20% of children and young people in Newcastle experienced mental health difficulties
● This is a big problem and additionally mental illness is often stigmatised and misunderstood, leading to further unnecessary suffering. We have to change this!