When you’ve spent your younger years growing up in care, things don’t just ‘bounce back’ once you turn 18. The route into adulthood is stacked against you — the support disappears, the mental scars stay, and accessing help feels like hitting brick walls. That’s why the new COLLAGE study, launched by the University of Birmingham and partners, is not just research — it’s a potential game-changer.
What is the COLLAGEStudy About?
The COLLAGE (Care-experienced yOung peopLe’s mentaL heAlth help-seekinG bEhaviours) project is an NIHR-funded, 18-month national deep dive into how care-experienced young people (aged 13–25), especially those who are LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, racially minoritised, or disabled, seek—and fail to find—mental health support. And here’s the difference: they’re not just subjects—they’re co-creators, shaping how the study runs and how findings get used. University of Birmingham
The goal? Build a full-on, inclusive picture of the hurdles these young people face and what actually helps them. There’ll be surveys, interviews, global evidence reviews, digital tool design—and free public events to share findings. It’s not about talking at these young people. It’s about working with them. University of Birmingham
Why The COLLAGE Study Matters — Straight Up
- Care leavers struggle with mental health at epidemic levels. Between 50–80% meet the criteria for diagnosable conditions—and many fall into a gap between child and adult services. British Psychological SocietyNIHR
- Barriers aren’t just personal—they’re systemic. Instability, trust issues, long waitlists, and disjointed services make getting help feel impossible. BPS Psych HubACAMHBritish Psychological Society
- Lost in the system. When young people exit care, they often drop off the radar, and services vanish. That’s when PTSD, anxiety, depression, and self-medication often take hold. WikipediaNIHRBritish Psychological Society
The COLLAGE study is powerful because it’s flipping the script. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with them?”, it’s asking “What do they actually need?”
Real Voices, Real Change
Previous research shows that young people just want to be heard—not pathologized. What helps? Trusted adults and stable relationships, flexible services, peer support, choice in how they engage, honest communication. They don’t want rigid systems—they want flexibility and respect. NIHR EvidenceACAMHIRISSSAGE Journals
Now, COLLAGE is taking it further by co-producing tools and resources that youth care about—from apps and guides to policy recommendations. This is how change starts: with the voices of people who actually live it.
What The COLLAGE Study Means for You
If you’ve ever felt judged, misunderstood, or let down by a system that chopped you off at 18—this study is a sign things can shift.
Here’s how:
- Representation in research. Seeing care-experienced, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent youth in the design phase means services may finally reflect you, not just pictures of young people.
- Digital tools that work. Resources built with young people are more likely to be practical and used. No boring manuals—real, youth-tested stuff.
- Pressure on policymakers to act. When real voices demand inclusive support, it can’t be ignored.
- Everyday peers matter. Supporting someone through care, mental health, or transitions—listen, validate, stay flexibly available.
What Can Young People Do Right Now?
- Share your story if this reflects your experience. The COLLAGE team wants your voice — use the study’s social links or contact Birmingham’s press office. University of Birmingham
- Support community-focused action. Get involved with charities like The Mix (free peer-chat and helpline for under-25s), or local projects using creativity and peer support. Wikipedia
- Call for trusted support—whether it’s a mentor, teacher, or social worker—someone who believes you, pushes for help, refuses to let you fall through.
COLLAGE Study: Wrapping It Up
It’s not just another academic study—it’s an urgent lifeline. The COLLAGE project is shining light on unheard experiences, building tools with those who really know, and demanding system change. This is what inclusion and equity look like—rooted in real voices and real needs. For care-experienced young people navigating adulthood, mental health, and identity—this study could be the turning point.
You’re not invisible. You’re not alone. And you’re not irrelevant. The future starts with listening—and acting. Birmingham News
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