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<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> In this game you play as a young teenager from a low-income family trying to navigate the stresses of life. This game draws from findings of our youth-led [[emotional support for young people |https://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/research/emotional-support-for-young-people/]] project. Some choices are influenced by things that are out of your hands so the same choice on different runthroughs can produce different results - just like how in real life we cannot control everything. You can see your current level of stress at the top of each page. Enter your name: <<textbox "$playerName" "Alex">> [[Let us begin|Meet Alex]] [[About this project|About this project]] <<set $stress = 50>> <<set _identities = ["neurodivergent", "minority ethnic", "second generation migrant", "LGBTQ",]>> <<set _shuffled = _identities.shuffle()>> <<set _roll = random(1, 100)>> <<set $identity = []>> <<if _roll <= 70>>  <<set $identity = [_shuffled[0]]>> <<elseif _roll <= 80>>  <<set $identity = _shuffled.slice(0, 2)>> <<elseif _roll <= 90>>  <<set $identity = _shuffled.slice(0, 3)>> <<else>>  <<set $identity = []>> <</if>>

__Stress level:__ <meter @value="$stress" min="0" max="100"></meter> - @@color:orange;''<<print $stress>>%''@@ Some things about your identity may influence how others treat you. __Character Bio:__ <<print $identity.join(", ")>> This project is supported by the Health Foundation

Choose-your-own-adventure through a young person's day. Based on a Toynbee Hall PAR project

<div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Recommendation: ''</span> Fostering connections through activities can help lay the groundwork for future conversations. Exercise, crafts and cooking, for example, help strengthen existing relationships, build new connections and provide crucial opportunities for conversations about emotional wellbeing. \</div> !Recommendation <div class="message"> \<div> \<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF"><path d="M360-266h230q14 0 23.5-6t16.5-18l78-182q2-5 3.5-15t1.5-15v-24q0-14-6.5-20.5T686-553H472l29-138q2-8 0-15t-7-12l-21-22-161 174-8 16q-4 8-4 17v207q0 23 18 41.5t42 18.5ZM480-80q-82 0-155-31.5t-127.5-86Q143-252 111.5-325T80-480q0-83 31.5-156t86-127Q252-817 325-848.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 82-31.5 155T763-197.5q-54 54.5-127 86T480-80Zm0-60q142 0 241-99.5T820-480q0-142-99-241t-241-99q-141 0-240.5 99T140-480q0 141 99.5 240.5T480-140Zm0-340Z"/></svg> \</div> \<span class="report-name"> &emsp; ''Recommendation:''</span> &emsp; Our quote is... \</div> !Quote <div class="message"> \<div> \<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#ffffff"><path d="m248-240 94-162q-5 1-11 1.5t-11 .5q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 21-5.5 41.18Q469-498.63 458-480L320-240h-72Zm360 0 94-162q-5 1-11 1.5t-11 .5q-66 0-113-47t-47-113q0-66 47-113t113-47q66 0 113 47t47 113q0 21-5.5 41.18Q829-498.63 818-480L680-240h-72ZM319.76-480q33.24 0 56.74-23.26 23.5-23.27 23.5-56.5 0-33.24-23.26-56.74-23.27-23.5-56.5-23.5-33.24 0-56.74 23.26-23.5 23.27-23.5 56.5 0 33.24 23.26 56.74 23.27 23.5 56.5 23.5Zm360 0q33.24 0 56.74-23.26 23.5-23.27 23.5-56.5 0-33.24-23.26-56.74-23.27-23.5-56.5-23.5-33.24 0-56.74 23.26-23.5 23.27-23.5 56.5 0 33.24 23.26 56.74 23.27 23.5 56.5 23.5Zm.24-80Zm-360 0Z"/></svg> \</div> \<span class="report-name"> &emsp; ''Quote:''</span> &emsp; Our quote is... \</div> !Report Finding <div class="message"> \<div> \<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="50px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="50px" fill="#ffffff"><path d="M453-280h60v-240h-60v240Zm26.98-314q14.02 0 23.52-9.2T513-626q0-14.45-9.48-24.22-9.48-9.78-23.5-9.78t-23.52 9.78Q447-640.45 447-626q0 13.6 9.48 22.8 9.48 9.2 23.5 9.2Zm.29 514q-82.74 0-155.5-31.5Q252-143 197.5-197.5t-86-127.34Q80-397.68 80-480.5t31.5-155.66Q143-709 197.5-763t127.34-85.5Q397.68-880 480.5-880t155.66 31.5Q709-817 763-763t85.5 127Q880-563 880-480.27q0 82.74-31.5 155.5Q817-252 763-197.68q-54 54.31-127 86Q563-80 480.27-80Zm.23-60Q622-140 721-239.5t99-241Q820-622 721.19-721T480-820q-141 0-240.5 98.81T140-480q0 141 99.5 240.5t241 99.5Zm-.5-340Z"/></svg> \</div> \<span class="report-name"> &emsp; ''Information:''</span> &emsp; Our report found that... \</div> !Resources <div class="message"> \<div> \<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="48px" viewBox="0 -960 960 960" width="48px" fill="#FFFFFF"><path d="M484-247q16 0 27-11t11-27q0-16-11-27t-27-11q-16 0-27 11t-11 27q0 16 11 27t27 11Zm-35-146h59q0-26 6.5-47.5T555-490q31-26 44-51t13-55q0-53-34.5-85T486-713q-49 0-86.5 24.5T345-621l53 20q11-28 33-43.5t52-15.5q34 0 55 18.5t21 47.5q0 22-13 41.5T508-512q-30 26-44.5 51.5T449-393Zm31 313q-82 0-155-31.5t-127.5-86Q143-252 111.5-325T80-480q0-83 31.5-156t86-127Q252-817 325-848.5T480-880q83 0 156 31.5T763-763q54 54 85.5 127T880-480q0 82-31.5 155T763-197.5q-54 54.5-127 86T480-80Zm0-60q142 0 241-99.5T820-480q0-142-99-241t-241-99q-141 0-240.5 99T140-480q0 141 99.5 240.5T480-140Zm0-340Z"/></svg> \</div> \<span class="report-name"> &emsp; ''Resources:''</span> &emsp; Some resources include... \</div>

!About the Project Toynbee Hall collaborated with Thrive LDN and young peer researchers to conduct Participatory Action Research investigating the emotional support young people (16-22 years old) from low-income backgrounds access in the context of the cost-of-living crisis. A group of 12 peer researchers from low-income families residing in Tower Hamlets identified key issues, designed question guides, and conducted interviews and workshops with 44 young people and 25 parents/guardians of young people in that age group. Over 90% of participants were from an ethnic minority background, and 38% of young people and 52% of parents/guardians were disabled. Additionally, the peer researchers co designed a survey which was conducted on a geographically representative sample of 1,515 England and Wales residents aged 16-22, including a boosted ethnic minority sample of 768 respondents. For more information about the project view our [[webpage|https://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/research/emotional-support-for-young-people/]] or read [[the full report|https://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/The-crisis-makes-us-more-alone-Toynbee-Hall-peer-research-report-Feb-2025.pdf]]. This project has received guidance from Tower Hamlets Council, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the NHS, in partnership with Thrive London and the Health Foundation. This project (reference no: FR-0003002) is part of the Health Foundation’ [[Emotional Support for Young People programme|https://www.health.org.uk/funding-and-partnerships/programmes/emotional-support-for-young-people]]. !About Toynbee Hall <img src="https://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/4537_Toynbee_Hall_logo_No_strapline_RGB-2.png" width="300px"> [[Toynbee Hall|https://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/]] fights poverty, inequality, and exclusion, supporting over 20,000 people each year with debt counselling, legal advice, and community wellbeing initiatives, while advocating for systemic change through research shaped by lived experience. Within Toynbee Hall, our [[Research and Policy Team|https://www.toynbeehall.org.uk/research/our-approach]] works with affected communities to identify systemic failures which create exclusion and hardship, whether from public policy, legislation, regulation, service or product design, or any form of cultural influence. We co-design our research and policy interventions to ensure that people affected by those failures are involved in designing solutions. We connect experts by experience and peer researchers to decision-makers and innovators and support them to influence effectively for change. !About Thrive LDN <img src="https://thriveldn.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Group_15541.png"> [[Thrive LDN|https://thriveldn.co.uk/]] was launched in July 2017 by the Mayor of London and London Health Board partners as a citywide public mental health partnership to ensure all Londoners have an equal opportunity to good mental health and wellbeing regardless of who they are and where they live. As a partnership, Thrive LDN brings together organisations from across sectors, creating an infrastructure for prevention, where public mental health is a collective responsibility and a common goal. !About the Health Foundation <img id="healthf-logo" src="https://www.health.org.uk/themes/custom/health_foundation/assets/images/logo--default.png" alt=" True Power. g " /> This project (reference no: FR-0003002) is part of the Health Foundation’s [[Emotional Support for Young People programme|https://www.health.org.uk/funding-and-partnerships/programmes/emotional-support-for-young-people]]. The Health Foundation is an independent charity committed to bringing about better health and health care for people in the UK.

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> You have just gotten home from a long day at school and your younger sibling tugs your sleeve. "Can you help me with this homework $playerName?" You see your parent is collapsed on the couch, silent and exhausted. They have been this way since having to take on an extra job and rarely have time for you or your brothers and sisters anymore. <<choice [[Help your sibling|Help Sibling]]>> <<choice [[Go to your room to rest|Go Room]]>> <<choice [[Try to talk to your parent about your day|Talk Parent]]>>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> You sit with your sibling and help them finish their worksheet. You're worried without any support they'll struggle in school. <<if random(1, 100) > 50>> <<set $stress += 18>>They find it hard to understand the worksheet and you need to explain it carefully multiple times before they understand. <<else>><<set $stress += 9>>The work is not too hard, but it does take time for you to familiarise yourself with what they are doing.<</if>> Finally, you are done. They're grateful, but you're tired. You feel the weight of having to be more responsible. Your stress increases. Unfortunately it's hard to get rest and relax - there are too many of you in a small space. The flat is noisy. You can’t focus. <<if random(1, 100) > 30>> <<choice [[Try the library|Library]]>> <<choice [[Invite a friend over|Friend Over]]>> <<choice [[Join a youth club|Youth Club]]>> <<else>> Your parents don't like you to go out without their advance permission. Your choices are limited. ==Try the library== <<choice [[Invite a friend over|Friend Over]]>> ==Join a youth club== <</if>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> In many situations young people feel compelled to support their struggling families, increasing their stress. Furthermore balancing these responsibilities with educational and/or work demands makes it difficult for young people to maintain and nurture relationships that are key for emotional support. As one participant said "I literally, I feel so useless, I feel like I can't contribute." \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> You shut the door to your room, put on headphones, and breathe for a moment. But the guilt creeps in. You worry that your sibling is going to struggle like you did, and fall behind in school, but you are just a teen and there's not much help you can give. Unfortunately it's hard to get rest and relax - there are too many of you in a small space. The flat is noisy. You can’t focus. <<if random(1, 100) > 30>> <<choice [[Try the library|Library]]>> <<choice [[Invite a friend over|Friend Over]]>> <<choice [[Join a youth club|Youth Club]]>> <<else>> Your parents don't like you to go out without their advance permission. Your choices are limited. ==Try the library== <<choice [[Invite a friend over|Friend Over]]>> ==Join a youth club== <</if>> <<set $stress -= 2>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> Overcrowded housing significantly impacts young people's and families' ability to engage in emotionally supportive activities, maintain strong family bonds, and find quiet spaces for relaxation and communication. A key concern for low-income households, overcrowded housing can create stress and tension, impacting communication and emotional support within families. Finding quiet and private spaces to talk openly about emotions is challenging in overcrowded homes and participants emphasised that activities which allow young people and families to spend time outside their crowded living conditions are crucial for their emotional and social wellbeing. Many parents/guardians do what they can to safeguard spaces for connection and sharing, but outside support is needed. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> <<if random(1, 100) > 50>><<set $stress += 18>>Your parent sighs loudly. "Not now, $playerName." You know they are just tired but it hurts a bit. <<else>><<set $stress -= 6>>Your parent looks up at you and nods slowly. "I’m proud of you $playerName, even if I forget to say it. I'm sorry I'm not around much these days."<</if>> You know they need to be alone so you go to your room. Unfortunately it's hard to get rest and relax - there are too many of you in a small space. The flat is noisy. You can’t focus. <<if random(1, 100) > 30>> <<choice [[Try the library|Library]]>> <<choice [[Invite a friend over|Friend Over]]>> <<choice [[Join a youth club|Youth Club]]>> <<else>> Your parents don't like you to go out without their advance permission. Your choices are limited. ==Try the library== <<choice [[Invite a friend over|Friend Over]]>> ==Join a youth club== <</if>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> Throughout our work both generations expressed a desire for more open emotional expression. Young people noted that parents/guardians often struggle to open up, while parents/guardians felt disconnected from their young adult children and wanted to better understand their experiences. A lack of quality time together exacerbates these issues, making young people feel reserved around their parents/guardians and impeding deeper social connections. Parents/guardians attributed long and/or unsocial working hours to this lack of time, worrying that their children were growing accustomed to spending the majority of their time alone or without family. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> <<if random(1, 100) > 60>><<set $stress += 3>>The library is full and you can’t concentrate so you give up for today.<<else>><<set $stress -= 4>>A quiet corner and some peace for a few hours.<</if>> Once you get home and in your bed, you wonder what the next day will hold. <<choice [[Try to rest|Mental Health Crisis]]>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Recommendations: ''</span> Novel settings and the element of going out are key in creating more engagement and opportunities for discussions around emotional wellbeing. The importance of just getting out of the house together as a family and spending time together in a different setting where they could chat was seen to help refresh people's bodies and minds and diffuse household tension. Participants also highlighted the importance of practicing the habit of attending outside events and meeting new people, as this is essential to building up a support network. For younger people, building up trusted older adult contacts in safe environments was seen as especially important by all participants. Community centres, libraries, health centres, and green spaces were highlighted as ideal places for hosting activities, with schools seen as less comfortable environments for these activities and discussions. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> <<if random(1, 100) > 50>><<set $stress += 12>>You ring them but they can't come. They have to help out at home today - like your family theirs is also struggling, though you don't talk about it much <<else>><<set $stress -= 6>>They come, but it’s awkward to talk without private space. You both end up scrolling on your phones and after a few hours they head home.<</if>> You wonder what the next day will hold. <<choice [[Try to rest|Mental Health Crisis]]>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> Increased stress and fatigue amongst whole social support networks mean that individuals are less available to provide emotional support and more conscious about approaching others for help. As one participant noted: "I haven’t developed those kinds of relationships because I don’t have the luxury or the time to go and spend time with people to build that emotional connection and similarly people don’t have the time for me." \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> <<set _matched = false>><<if $identity.includes("minority ethnic")>><<set $stress += 15>>No-one at the youth club seems like you. You don’t feel welcome and leave quickly.<<set _matched = true>><</if>><<if $identity.includes("neurodivergent")>><<set $stress += 15>> The sensory-friendly art space isn’t open to the general public today so there is not much for you to do.<<set _matched = true>><</if>><<if !_matched>><<set $stress -= 5>>Hanging out at the youth club, you meet another teen and get talking. They seem to get what you’re going through and it's nice to share your feelings.<</if>> Once you get home you lie down in your bed. <<choice [[Try to rest|Mental Health Crisis]]>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> Local events, community centres and youth clubs help individuals feel more connected to their communities and other families. Youth services offering sports, arts, music, and cooking help young people relieve stress and process their emotions. However, government cuts, rising costs and closures have made many of these youth groups and activities unaffordable for those from low-income households. Participants also noted that a lack of communication about these activities (poor signposting) means that free or low-cost activities which remain are hard to discover. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> These days you’ve been having panic attacks, and no one seems to notice. You can feel another one coming on. <<choice [[Search online|Search Online]]>> <<choice [[Confide in a friend|Confide in a friend]]>> <<choice [[Confide in a parent|Write Letter]]>> <<choice [[Bury it deep inside|Skip School]]>>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> You find a grounding exercise that helps... a bit. You think you should maybe try to open up to your parent about feeling low. <<choice [[Stay silent|Stay Silent]]>> <<choice [[Try to talk to them tomorrow|Try Again]]>> <<choice [[Write a letter|Write Letter]]>> <<set $stress -= 2>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> For those who feel less able to turn to family and friends, services such as therapists, school support staff, and helplines play a vital role in filling that gap. Workshop participants noted that external services provide crucial support by offering someone to talk to and a safe space to discuss emotional wellbeing. Sessions with such individuals were seen as a way of practicing talking about complex emotions in a safe and supportive environment, as a first step to bringing these topics into the household. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> You try and ignore how your feeling but the panic attack comes on anyway. It feels like you are going to die. You think you should maybe try to open up to your parent about feeling low. <<choice [[Stay silent|Stay Silent]]>> <<choice [[Try to talk to them tomorrow|Try Again]]>> <<choice [[Write a letter|Write Letter]]>> <<set $stress += 23>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> Findings from the project reveal both a strong desire for familial emotional support among participants, and the challenges in receiving it in practice. In our young people’s survey, 73% of young people had experienced two or more points of pressure in the past year (such as increased pressure to provide for the immediate family or support others with their emotional wellbeing), with 54% experiencing more stress within their immediate family. When it came to the question of if they can talk to a family member when they need to, LGBTQ young people were significantly more likely to strongly disagree (31% vs 20%), as were young disabled people (30% vs 20%). \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> They listen. It helps a bit.<<if $identity.includes("neurodivergent")>> It's hard though to articulate how you are feeling with the way your brain works so you're not sure if they get it.<</if>> <<if $identity.includes("minority ethnic")>> During the conversation your bring that you looked into therapy but the waiting lists were so long. "Therapy isn't for people like us $playerName" your friend says. You take that to heart.<</if>> You think you should maybe try to open up to your parent about feeling low. <<choice [[Stay silent|Stay Silent]]>> <<choice [[Try to talk to them tomorrow|Try Again]]>> <<choice [[Write a letter|Write Letter]]>> <<set $stress -= 3>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> The vast majority of participants would prefer to turn to close family members first for emotional support, with friends also playing a crucial role. Within our young people’s survey only a small majority of young people (55%) said they can talk to a family member whenever they need to and receive emotional support. Those who can rely on a mix of close family, extended family, and friends tend to report feeling better emotionally supported. Additionally, opportunities to connect with other young people who share similar experiences, such as young adult carers, were seen as highly beneficial. Older siblings or cousins who have recently navigated young adulthood were often noted as particularly helpful sources of support. Participants found it especially supportive when close family or friends respond calmly and focus on listening to understand, rather than trying to solve problems by offering their own solutions. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> Your words catch in your throat. You go to bed without saying anything. [[The weekend arrives|Support Group]] <<set $stress += 12>>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> <<if random(1, 100) > 70>><<set $stress -= 6>>Your parent says, "I didn’t grow up with this, but I’ll try to understand". You talk for a little while but can't do much before you are interupted. There's just no free space in this house.<<else>><<set $stress += 4>>They nod but clearly don’t get it. You give up and go back to your room.<</if>> <<if $identity.includes("second generation migrant")>>You know that you're parent's life back in their home country was so different, you're not sure if they'll ever truly know the kinds of pressures you have.<</if>> [[The weekend arrives|Support Group]] <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> Young people and parents/guardians spoke about the 'generational gaps' that hinder communication and emotional support due to differing social worlds and perspectives. Nearly half (48%) of young people in our young people’s survey report a gap in understanding between themselves and their family that makes it hard to receive emotional support. Groups more likely to agree overall included those with experience of mental health conditions, neurodivergent youth, young carers, and those growing up in single-parent households. Parents/guardians worry that they do not or would not understand the experiences of the young people in their care due to the different contexts of their youth, making it challenging to offer support. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> You know how busy your parent is these days so you figure writing a letter will help since you don't get much face-to-face time. You don’t know if they'll read it, but writing your truth felt freeing. [[The weekend arrives|Support Group]] <<set $stress -= 3>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> A key factor in whether young people feel comfortable opening up to someone is the amount of quality time spent with them face-to-face. Young participants expressed a strong desire to connect with family members, especially parents or guardians. As one participant put it: “it was easier for me to open up about my problems, because I've already spoken to this person.” However, financial pressures often make them feel like they are burdening their parents/guardians with their issues, and living away from more extended relatives was a barrier for those who wished to turn more to grandparents, cousins, and uncles/aunts. Fostering relationships through one-on-one and family-only time, particularly in novel locations and with new activities, helps create the groundwork for young people to feel comfortable in approaching family members for support. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> You have been looking up different ways to help yourself without bothering your family. You've found a support group that is running tonight but you don't know anyone there. <<choice [[Go anyway|Go Group]]>> <<choice [[Don’t go|Dont Go]]>>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> <<if random(1, 100) > 45>><<set $stress -= 16>>You decide to go anyway and end up meeting some really lovely people. The group is supportive and you feel like you might have found a new space. <<else>><<set $stress += 8>>You head to the group but find it hard to introduce yourself or connect with anyone as they all seem to already know each other. After 10 minutes you head home. <</if>> [[The next day|Provider Role]] <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Recommendation: ''</span> One of the most popular recommendations to support emotional wellbeing of young people is to foster connections through activities that lay the groundwork for future conversations on emotional wellbeing. As one participant put it: "Walking, hiking, though those are not only good for health, but also [give] a lot of free time when people [can more] easily to discuss. I mean, when a different generation like fathers and sons are sitting in front, face to face, a lot of things you wouldn't express, there's a barrier. But when you are walking together, or when you're busy in some activities, exercising, then after some time, the ice starts melting and a lot of things could be expressed.” \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> It feels too much without someone to go with you. Your mind spins with what you’re missing. [[The next day|Provider Role]] <<set $stress += 17>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> A strong theme across our work was the perceived lack of accessible community-building activities, particularly for young people aged 16+. Engaging in activities outside the home, such as walks, spending time in green spaces, visiting relatives, going to the cinema, and dining out with family and friends, plays a crucial role in supporting young people's emotional wellbeing. However, the cost-of-living crisis combined with youth service closures has made many of these activities unaffordable for young people from low-income households. Access to available activities is impeded by several factors beyond affordability, particularly for those from ethnic minority and/or migrant backgrounds. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> The electricity bill is overdue. Your parents don't say anything but you know that they have been struggling with money more and more these days. <<choice [[Pick up extra shifts|Extra Shifts]]>> <<choice [[Focus on school|Focus School]]>> <<choice [[Apply for hardship fund|Hardship Fund]]>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> Our report found that financial strain in low-income households places additional pressures on young people to assume provider roles during their transition to adulthood. Overall 37% of young people in our young people’s survey said they'd experienced increased pressure to provide for the family, with pressure to provide significantly higher among those aged 20–22 (41%) and 18–19 (38%) than those aged 16–17 (29%). In many situations young people feel compelled to support their struggling families, taking on part or full-time work and prioritising income generation over other needs. Balancing these responsibilities with educational and work demands makes it difficult for young people to maintain and nurture relationships that are key for emotional support, as many are working during their free time. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> You pick up some work and are able to put money on the table. You’re exhausted, you worry that you're studies will suffer but at least the lights stay on. [[What does the future hold?|Ending Check]] <<set $stress += 10>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> Financial strain in low-income households places additional pressures on young people to assume provider roles during their transition to adulthood. Overall 37% of young people in our young people’s survey said they'd experienced increased pressure to provide for the family, with pressure to provide significantly higher among those aged 20–22 (41%) and 18–19 (38%) than those aged 16–17 (29%). In many situations young people feel compelled to support their struggling families, taking on part or full-time work and prioritising income generation over other needs. Balancing these responsibilities with educational and work demands makes it difficult for young people to maintain and nurture relationships that are key for emotional support, as many are working during their free time. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> You know that even with their struggles your parents would want you to not worry about it. You still do worry but you double down on exams anyway. Maybe it’ll pay off later. [[What does the future hold?|Ending Check]] <<set $stress += 14>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Findings: ''</span> As young people move into adulthood, seeking help becomes more challenging. The pathways for support provided for younger children, particularly within schools, become unavailable making it harder for older individuals to ask for and receive help. Outreach from services becomes less proactive as children age, and the current strain on adult support services, such as therapist availability and support hotlines, further exacerbates the issue. Long waiting times mean many young people delay accessing necessary support until they are at a point of crisis. A proactive mental health strategy should look at how pastoral care in schools could be improved. Those who want to share with a familiar face but are hesitant to share with family and friends due to fears of burdening them or communication barriers suggested regular sessions with emotional support professionals in schools would allow them to build a connection and trust before they are in a crisis and need to reach out to more formal mental health services. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> You find a hardship fund that you can apply to cover some of your expenses so your parents don't have to worry about you. <<if random(1, 100) > 50>><<set $stress -= 16>>You spend a whole evening on the forms and wait for a week. It’s approved — relief.<<else>><<set $stress += 12>>Unfortunately the forms are so complicated you get bogged down and give up.<</if>> [[What does the future hold?|Ending Check]] <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Recommendations: ''</span> Approaches to increasing household income should be holistic. Policies like the benefit cap and the two-child limit severely reduce family income, hindering the ability of families to invest in strengthening emotional bonds and overall wellbeing. Eliminating these restrictive policies would significantly improve the financial stability of households, allowing them to focus on nurturing family connections rather than struggling to make ends meet. Moreover, stagnant wages that fail to keep pace with inflation and the prevalence of non-liveable work hours further exacerbate financial strain on low-income families. These conditions are not just a matter of individual circumstances but reflect broader systemic barriers that prevent access to quality employment—work that is not only well-paid but also stable and secure. To truly improve income levels, these structural barriers must be dismantled. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> <<if $stress >= 90>> Your stress has reached <<print $stress>>%. Burnout. You break down and are referred to a service. The system let you fall too far $playerName. <<if $identity.includes("neurodivergent")>> It's made worse by how few services ever tried to understand your brain. <</if>> [[Play Again|Start][state.restart()]] <<elseif $stress >= 70>> Your stress has reached <<print $stress>>%. You’re surviving but fragile. You made it through $playerName, but it’s not sustainable. [[Play Again|Start][state.restart()]] <<elseif $stress <= 30>> You're stress level has dropped to <<print $stress>>%. You’re supported and hopeful. There’s still work ahead, but you’re not alone $playerName. [[Play Again|Start][state.restart()]] <<elseif $stress <= 10>> You managed your stress well and reduced it to only <<print $stress>>%. You've survived numerous challenges $playerName and now are looking forward to entering adult life. [[Play Again|Start][state.restart()]] <<else>>Life is complicated. You're stress level is <<print $stress>>%. You’ve got some balance, and some burdens. But you're still here $playerName. [[Play Again|Start][state.restart()]] <</if>> <div class="message"> \<div> \<span class="report-name">''Final Thoughts: ''</span> Throughout our work participants emphasised the importance of broader structural inequalities in driving poor mental health outcomes and affecting the emotional support they could receive. Both generations highlighted how these broader structural factors affect their mental health and, consequently, the ability of parents and guardians to provide emotional support to their young adult children. Inequalities around access to work opportunities, access to leisure activities and green spaces, access to enrichment opportunities, unsocial working hours and demands, and inadequate housing all played a role in poor mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people and their families. There is an urgent need for holistic, cross-cutting solutions that not only provide immediate relief but also address the underlying factors perpetuating these challenges. \</div>

<progress @value="$stress" max="100" ></progress> You are $playerName, 17, a <<print $identity>> teen living in a small flat with your large family. Life has been tough lately: bills are piling up, school is intense, and finding a moment of peace feels impossible. [[Your day begins...|Let us begin]]