Camden Youth Awards: Teen carer makes powerful film about youth mental health

Paul Young struggled to cope after suffering mental health problems, being bullied at school, and having to care for his unwell mother.

But the plucky youngster pushed through and channelled his experiences into making a powerful and moving film to highlight mental illness amongst young people and end the stigma associated with mental health.

Called Facing Shadows, the film has more than 6,000 hits on Youtube and was even screened at the British Film Institute (BFI) – as reported in the Ham&High in August.

The 18-year-old, who works as a part-time events steward while still a pupil at a Hendon secondary school, was recognised at the Camden Youth Awards on Thursday, winning the Personal Journey award. He was also named overall Inspirational Young Person of the Year.

Paul, a former pupil of the Royal Free Hospital Children’s School in Hampstead and St Mary’s CofE Primary School in Kilburn, said: “I am so happy to get this award.

“I was very surprised when I got the email because I am just doing what I love doing, which is helping other people and working hard to support my family.”

View Paul’s film, made in partnership with the Hampstead-based Anna Freud Centre, at: youtube.com/watch?v=LdmRPKUhNEY.