Helping young people personify and cope with stress

StressHeads is an innovative digital tool, accessible via mobile and desktop applications, which helps young people cope with, and understand, the causes of stress.

Created by YouthNet, the brains behind TheSite, an online guide to life for 16-25 year-olds, StressHeads is free to download, and lets young people personify their stress, helping them to better understand how they can deal with it.

One in five young people aged 16-25 report that they suffer from mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and self-harm.

TheSite attracts 1.4 million young people every year, with 25% looking specifically for mental health support. Through safe, moderated discussion boards and live chat, young people can find support for anxiety, depression, self-harm and panic attacks, 24hrs a day. StressHeads builds on this support, equipping young people with a tool that provides immediate distraction, as well as helping to build the ability to cope with stressful situations in the long-term.

In the future they’re looking to deliver the tool to schools in conjunction with a StressHeads lesson plan to be used as part of PSHE education. It can also be used by medical staff, counselling professionals and youth workers in front line services.

To vote for StressHeads in this year’s People’s Award category, visit our Vote Now page, follow @Tech4GoodAwards on Twitter and tweet using the hashtag #T4GStressHeads.