Headliners (UK) and CoRAY are delighted to share the second CoRAY Voices Podcast which focuses on how uncertainty has affected young people's mental health and what we can do to manage, when feeling uncertain. The podcast has been co-produced between Headliners (UK), the young people and the CoRAY project team.

A group of young people from the North East examined the evidence informed recommendations for supporting young people to manage change and uncertainty.

They found that coping with uncertainty and change have been key features of the COVID-19 pandemic. Young people have had to continually adjust and readjust their lifestyles and behaviour in response to changing risks and challenges posed by the virus and to updated government guidelines. People respond differently to change and uncertainty, some react positively (e.g. excitement) whilst others react negatively (e.g. worry). It can be difficult to tolerate uncertainty and at times this can lead to distress and affect mental health. Difficulty coping with uncertainty is associated with a range of different mental health issues.

The young people from the North East Headliners (UK) NCS ChangeMakers group developed the co-produced questions and interviewed a special guest, Professor Jacqui Rodgers about how to support young people who are experiencing change and uncertainty.

The podcast has been split into two Episodes and we are delighted to share Episode 2 here:


Episode 1 can be viewed here: 


Headliners (UK) is working with the Emerging Minds Network and a number of partners on the Co-RAY project to enable young people to develop resources to support young people’s mental health during COVID-19 (particularly 11 – 16 year olds). 

The CoRAY project team comprises the Emerging Minds Network working with the Triumph Network and supported by the wider UKRI funded Mental Health Networks along with our partners: The University of Reading, Swansea University, Young Minds, the Centre for Mental Health and the McPin Foundation, Headliners (UK) and Fully Focused Productions to support young people themselves to develop and share resources that will be helpful for other young people. We will also be helping to share existing evidence based resources.

The CoRay project partners are very grateful to the Medical Research Council and the Westminster Foundation for supporting this work.


If you need more information.

More information on sources of support (and other useful resources) can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/youth-mental-health/

For more information about seeking help where you are:

Scotland: http://www.healthscotland.scot/health-topics/mental-health-and-wellbeing/children-and-young-peoples-mental-health

Wales: https://collaborative.nhs.wales/networks/wales-mental-health-network/how-to-get-support/

Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/your-childs-mental-health