Children’s Mental Health & Creativity: Our Founder Featured on The Select Podcast🎙️
- The CYP Services
- Apr 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 28
Our Founder, Rickiesha Williams, was recently featured on The Select Podcast, speaking about children and young people’s mental health, creativity and the importance of accessible, community-based support.
In the conversation, Rickiesha reflects on her journey into mental health, including her early research into the mental health needs of young people at risk of offending, and the importance of early intervention and whole-system support.
Rickiesha also shares insights from her work at The CYP Services, highlighting how creative and relational approaches can support identity, emotional wellbeing and self-expression, particularly for children and young people who may find it difficult to put their experiences into words.
A key reflection that has stayed with us is this: many children and young people today have fewer opportunities to play, explore and be themselves.
With increasing pressure, overstimulation, busy schedules, and the growing presence of social media and digital spaces in everyday lives, creativity can easily be overlooked. Even within creative and performing spaces, there can sometimes be pressure, particularly around confidence, comparison, perfectionism, or getting things “right”.
When held in a safe and supportive way, these spaces can offer something different, a sense of belonging, connection and the opportunity to grow.
This becomes even more important when we consider accessibility, as not all children and families have equal access to safe, supportive spaces.
This is why, at The CYP Services, we focus on creating accessible, community-based spaces that support not just the individual but the wider system around them.
As part of our assessment process, we ask about hobbies, interests, clubs and the spaces where children and young people feel most engaged. These often offer important insight into what helps them feel safe, connected and supported in their everyday lives.
We’re grateful to be part of this important conversation and to continue raising awareness of children and young people’s mental health.
🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode:
If you’re a parent, carer, or professional looking for support, you can explore our services.
At The CYP Services, we believe mental health should be a right, not a privilege 💜
