A pedagogy of connection: building young peoples’ resilience through social prescribing

The rising incidence of mental health challenges among young people has become a significant concern globally. Factors such as social isolation, family stress, poverty and the pressures of digital environments have collectively contributed to increasing rates of social anxiety, depression and emotional distress. These challenges require innovative and responsive interventions that go beyond traditional medical models. In response, health and social care services have increasingly turned to socially orientated interventions, such as social prescribing, to address these multifaceted issues. Social prescribing, which connects individuals with community-based resources and activities, has shown promise in alleviating the psychological and social pressures faced by young people.