Aardman's cartoons about mental health aimed at young people

Aardman, the award-winning independent studio makers of blockbuster films and animated series such as Wallace & Gromit e Shaun the Sheep (Shaun the Sheep), has joined forces with leading mental health researchers and charities with a campaign developed to encourage young people to become more aware of the factors that could negatively impact their psychic and mental wellbeing.

Called “What's happening to everyone?”, The campaign sees the launch of a series of short films aimed at young people between the ages of 17 and 24, and has been uniquely co-created with the young audience, which aims to support , ensuring an authentic voice and is genuinely representative of the challenges to mental well-being faced by the population.

The films, which are airing on social media this week alongside a support website, feature five characters, each grappling with an issue related to loneliness, perfectionism, competitiveness, independence, and social media: five of the most common problems that negatively impact young people, according to campaign research.

“We set out to produce shorts that young people could relate to, something that was genuine and honest,” explained Daniel Binns, animation director at Aardman Animations. “We wanted to create content that could appear on someone's social media and elicit the response 'I know that feeling'. We want the people watching them to see a little bit of themselves in the characters and their stories and this is the start to think about how they feel, or cope and how it could be better. "

“What really sets this project apart is that it was co-created with young people at every stage. Their contributions, along with those of our experts, have been invaluable and enlightening, enabling us to create authentic and effective resources that can have a truly positive impact.

The campaign was led by Professor of Health Humanities Paul Crawford at the University of Nottingham, with research groups at the University of Nottingham, Loughborough University, the London School of Economics and Politics; the Mental Health Foundation and the mental wellbeing charity, Happy Space; and with youth mental health expert Dr. Dominique Thompson.

Professor Crawford said: “These wonderful animated stories should help all of our young people think and explore solutions to the kind of mental health challenges that come with difficult life transitions such as going to college or starting training or employment. . Supportive movies and online resources will be welcome right now, with all the disruptions and anxieties in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“In addition to providing a much needed mental health resource, this campaign is part of a larger research project that will also evaluate the effectiveness of these creative platforms, as a way to reach out to the young people who need them, and ensure help. and driving is easily accessible. "

The partnership comes at a time when the pandemic has increased focus on the mental well-being of young people, with reports that two-thirds of young people have experienced worse mental health during the period of lockdown restrictions.

A recent NHS survey also showed that one in six children and young people suffered from a probable mental health disorder in July 2020, compared with one in nine in 2017, while the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that more half of all students at the University (57%) reported a deterioration in their mental health and well-being since the beginning of the fall semester in September 2020.

The collaborative project - informed by research commissioned and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) involving the Storytelling Academy at Loughborough University - will develop and evaluate the impact of a series of animated stories that aim to increase literacy. on the mental health of young people.

“I have devoted much of my life to working with young people and understanding their mental well-being in particular, which is why I am delighted to work closely with Aardman on this unique campaign,” said Dr. Thompson. "By creating another avenue to help support the next generation of society, we hope this campaign truly encourages young people to think about the world they live in and how they react to it, so that they stay happy and healthy. ".

Dr David Crepaz-Keay, Head of Applied Learning at the Mental Health Foundation, added: “It has never been more important to encourage people to understand what they can do to support their own mental health and that of others. These resources will enable students to be at the center of conversations about mental health and how we protect and improve it for generations to come. ”

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