News

James McAvoy backs new STV Children’s Appeal mental health campaign

A host of famous faces have lent their support to STV Children’s Appeal’s new fundraising campaign designed to help children cope with their mental health.

Glasgow-born Hollywood icon James McAvoy has joined other top Scottish talent – TV presenter Gail Porter, Booker Prize-winning author Douglas Stuart, comedian Janey Godley, Love Island star Laura Anderson and singer-songwriter Joesef – in recording video messages of support for the campaign.

Watch what James has to say

https://youtu.be/-nEEiS53dHY

Our new fundraising campaign  is focused on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Scotland’s children and young people, following research that suggests the Covid-19 pandemic will have a damaging long-term impact on young minds.

A lockdown survey* highlighted that 67% of young people believe the pandemic will be harmful to their mental health in the long-term.

The campaign highlights the particularly detrimental impact of the pandemic on the one in four children currently living in poverty in Scotland. Most lifelong mental illness begins in childhood and those living in deprivation are three times more likely to experience it, according to the British Medical Association.

100% of the money raised will be quickly distributed by the STV Children’s Appeal to fund vital counselling sessions and peer support groups in communities right across Scotland. It will also support local projects which give children access to sports, art, music and other means of essential peer-to-peer connection, of which they might otherwise be deprived.

You can help children cope through this pandemic

A donation of:

  • £10 could provide a young person with a wellbeing pack which helps them to learn, play or connect with friends and family
  • £30 could provide a young person with a professional counselling session

Donate online or text TEN to 70607. Texts cost £10 + your standard network rate. STV Appeal receives 100% of your donation. You must be 16+ and have the bill payer’s permission. Full terms and conditions.