Students Get Homework Task Like No Other in Return of ITV's Britain Get Talking Campaign

Today, ITV and STV launch a new initiative from the UK’s most recognised mental health campaign, Britain Get Talking. The broadcaster is encouraging every school in the country to set a different kind of homework ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10th as what is on our minds can be the hardest subject.

Designed in collaboration with a psychologist and the teaching community, the task encourages young people to have a proper chat with an adult they trust about the hardest subject. Building on moments when millions of households across the country sit down together to do homework, the task is created to make starting a conversation easier, and also to remind everyone that our daily lives present valuable opportunities to have a meaningful conversation.

This homework task comes at a time when we’ve never needed it more - a cost of living crisis, a pandemic and troubling world events have all had a negative impact on our children’s mental health like never before. In fact, mental health has declined in almost 40% of schoolchildren.

To promote this message further, ITV has created a rousing ad, running across ITV and ITVX. The short film features a cast of children from across Britain, sending a powerful rallying cry to the adults in their lives: encouraging them to “do their homework and get talking.”

The new initiative launches with the ambition to reach every British school and create an important national conversation - and in doing so, help children across Britain share what’s on their minds through this unique homework exercise. ITV is working directly with schools and charity partners - Mind, YoungMinds and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) - on the roll-out.

Ant and Dec continue to front ITV’s Britain Get Talking campaign, following on from the initial launch in 2019. The iconic duo feature in a fun and interactive assembly film which teachers are able to use to help explain the homework to their pupils and parents or carers. Then the homework task, developed in partnership with a children’s clinical psychologist, will act as a prompt to help children to open up. This will be available to download as a printout here alongside further advice and support.

ITV will also have a special hour of Britain Get Talking programming on World Mental Health Day, introduced by Ant and Dec, including a Martin Lewis Money Show Live special as well as a Tonight exclusive with Susanna Reid who investigates children’s mental health and the importance of us talking together as a family.

Susie Braun, director of social purpose ITV said, “ITV’s landmark Britain Get Talking campaign has led to over 100 million new or meaningful conversations since launch, but mental health having declined in almost 40% of British school children is a staunchly sobering statistic.

“This year, we’re continuing to focus on young people, as simply asking a child what’s on their mind can be key to them opening up and easing their worries. And this is homework for the adults too, so kids can finally get their own back! Come on Britain, Get Talking.”

Laura Bunt, chief executive of YoungMinds said, “Whether it’s exam pressure or the climate crisis, body image or bullying, it can be really hard for children and young people to open up about what’s troubling them. And it can be hard for adults to know how to start those conversations - talking about what’s on your mind can help. We hope this simple homework exercise initiates thousands of helpful conversations across the country.”

Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, says, “It’s so important we hold space to ask the children in our lives, ‘What’s on your mind?’. That’s why we’re proud to support ITV’s Britain Get Talking campaign. Talking isn’t the whole solution, but it can help us feel more able to cope and encourage us to seek support if we need to. And we know that the earlier a person can get support for their mental health, the more effective it’s likely to be.”

Billy Watson, chief executive of SAMH said, “We know that the pandemic has had, and continues to have, huge implications for young people lives. Add to this anxieties around cost-of-living and climate change; and it’s clear that it’s more important than ever that we support young people to talk about their worries and to ask for help should they need it. SAMH is proud to support Britain Get Talking, and we hope to see people across Scotland taking part.”

Professor Dame Alison Peacock, CEO, Chartered College of Teaching: “Teachers make a difference to children’s lives. Within schools it’s becoming increasingly apparent that our children are burdened by many worries. We know that through encouraging children to talk about issues that are playing on their minds, we help share the load. It is common for adults to underestimate the knowledge children have about things that we try to shield them from, whether these are global or national events or issues closer to home.

At the Chartered College of Teaching we are very pleased to support ITV’s Britain Get Talking homework campaign. We are aware that supporting children’s mental wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility. We are encouraging as many teachers and schools as possible to participate by telling their pupils about this special ‘homework’ task.”

Yamina Bibi, FCCT, assistant headteacher, Sarah Bonnell School, "As a teacher and school leader, we know there has been a rise in young people reporting that they are struggling with their mental health, particularly since lockdown. This important campaign is an opportunity for young people to be honest and open in sharing their challenges so that schools and families can continue working together to support students and help them thrive."

Talking is often the first step in helping ease stress and reduce anxiety. According to research conducted by YoungMinds, 87% of young people worry about climate change and 82% of young people worry about political issues such as war and conflict. Often parents shy away from talking about these ‘adult’ topics, as they don’t want to worry their children, but their children are already aware of and, sadly, worrying about these issues.

Mr Ben Levinson OBE, exec head teacher, The Tapscott Learning Trust and Chair, Well Schools, “From three to 93, speaking to someone is a great way to relieve our stress and anxiety. Britain Get Talking is going to spark a national conversation about what’s on our mind. Well Schools and The Tapscott Learning Trust are 100% behind this campaign because we know there is nothing more important than the health and happiness of our children. We can’t wait for our homework!”

This new campaign was created in partnership with Uncommon Creative Studio - ITV’s long standing creative partner.

Lucy Jameson, Co-Founder of Uncommon Creative Studio: “There’s a natural inclination for parents to want to shield their children from bad news or scary headlines, but we know that children are already discussing - and worrying about - these issues with their peers. Whether it’s the cost of living, the pressures of social media, or the threat of climate change, it can be challenging for children - and their parents - to share their feelings with one another, which is why this campaign and the homework ‘task’ is so important.”

“We are very proud to be working with ITV on the return of Britain Get Talking. We’ve paused the nation’s TVs and sparked over 100 million conversations, but this is our most ambitious Britain Get Talking campaign yet.”