12 August 2026
This summer, we're marking a special milestone. Mind and Body is celebrating 10 years of supporting young people to understand and manage their thoughts around self-harm. And the impact of that work is something we're incredibly proud of.
Since the programme first launched in the summer of 2016, it’s grown into a remarkable support network, reaching over 23,700 young people. That momentum continued into 2025, with 814 young people attending assessments with the team to access dedicated advice and support. In Cornwall alone, Mind and Body has now delivered 44 in-school programmes and reached over 1,400 young people.
Together, these numbers represent thousands of young people who were given a safe space, a listening ear, and practical tools to help them through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
What is Mind and Body?
Mind and Body is an award-winning programme developed by WithYou. It's a free mental health programme for young people who are self-harming, at risk of self-harming, or struggling with their mental health. The programme helps young people find positive ways to manage difficult thoughts and feelings.
What makes it different is how it was built. Mind and Body was co-created alongside young people and mental health professionals, bringing proven, evidence-based support into early intervention. It runs as a series of small group sessions in secondary schools and the community, giving young people a safe and confidential space to share their worries and explore new coping strategies together.
The journey begins with a one-to-one appointment, where a Mind and Body practitioner takes the time to understand individual needs and goals. From there, the group sessions allow young people to work through a range of activities, supported by a personal workbook they can take away and use long after the programme ends.
A decade of difference
Over the past decade, Mind and Body is proud to have reached more than 23,000 young people.
Behind every single statistic is a real person: a young individual who took a brave step, reached out for support, and found the support they needed to make positive changes and thrive.
One young person supported by the Mind and Body programme told us:
Everyone in the room understands you. My experiences overall have been brilliant. I have achieved goals I never thought I would have achieved, and I've also learnt so much about myself.
Another young person shared:
You saved me. Not in the loud, obvious way people think of. But in the quiet, invisible way that changes everything. The kind of saving that happens when someone notices the silence in your voice. And stays.
That quiet, consistent presence is at the heart of what Mind and Body does. It's about showing up, week after week, for young people who need to know someone is there.
The people who make it possible
None of this happens without a dedicated team. Our Mind and Body practitioners bring empathy and expertise in equal measure, and that commitment shows in the environment they create for young people every single day.
Katie Fenn, Team Leader for Mind and Body in Kent reflected:
Over the past couple of years at Mind and Body, one thing that has consistently stood out to me is how supportive and resilient the team is. There is a real sense of encouragement and understanding, both with each other and with the young people we work with. Even during more challenging times, everyone continues to show empathy, patience, and dedication, which makes a huge difference to the environment we create.
We're so grateful to the schools, colleges, and partners who have opened their doors, championed the programme, and trusted us to support their young people.
Looking ahead
Ten years is a significant milestone. It's also a reminder of why this work matters so much. Self-harm remains a deeply misunderstood issue, and young people deserve early, accessible support that meets them where they are. Mind and Body does exactly that.
We'll keep working alongside schools, families, and young people to make sure that support is there for anyone who needs it. Because every young person deserves to be heard, to feel less alone, and to find a way through their challenges.
Find out more about the Mind and Body programme at wearewithyou.org.uk/what-we-do/young-persons-services/mind-and-body-programme
