Dear Editor,

We are writing to you as mental health professionals to express our grave concern that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will have a profound negative impact on young people’s mental health with unforeseen consequences, including an escalation in ‘criminal’ behaviour.

We cannot think of better measures to disempower and socially isolate young people who are already suffering the devastating mental health consequences of disrupted education and prohibited social contact imposed by the pandemic. This happens at a time when the government claims to be prioritising children’s mental health and wellbeing. For example, government guidance states that “involving students in decisions that impact on them can benefit their mental health and wellbeing by helping them to feel part of the school, college and wider community and to have some control over their lives.”

We completely agree. Engaging in nonviolent protest is a democratic right that is part of such involvement, and restricting it in the manner envisaged in this bill will further erode young people’s trust in politicians, and their belief that their voices are heard, respected and matter.

A growing body of research shows that children and young people’s mental wellbeing is already detrimentally impacted by adult failures to address the climate and ecological emergency. A recent survey of 10,000 16-25-year-olds from both the Global South and North found that almost 6 out of 10 were very or extremely worried about climate change and that these anxieties correlated with perceived inadequate government response and associated feelings of betrayal. At the same time there is increasing evidence that youth engagement in activism is one antidote to despair, and that it increases children’s positive skills and capacities. 

During the recent COP26 meeting in Glasgow, COP President Alok Sharma noted the fear and anxiety that young people, including his own children, feel about the future of the planet, and went on to compliment them for their “passion and commitment […] to climate action.” He argued that “the actions and scrutiny of young people are key to us keeping 1.5 alive and creating a net-zero future.” Unfortunately, the end result of the Glasgow meeting is that “the pulse of 1.5 is weak”, to quote Mr Sharma again. Even if all COP26 pledges are met, the planet is on track to warm by 2.4℃. 

Yet it is at this terrifying moment that the Government chooses to introduce new draconian legislation that will criminalise young activists engaging in nonviolent protest. Indeed the legislation appears in many parts to be specifically designed to entrap activists who are engaging in demonstrations that are essential for a healthy democracy.

For example, should young activists choose to engage in a march down a local high street, shouting and singing, as is customary during many school climate actions and Black Lives Matter protests, and if just two people are deemed to be seriously annoyed by this behaviour, those young people could be committing a criminal offence. If they fail to stop the disruption, perhaps choosing to link arms, or simply sit down in the road, they may be liable to 51 weeks in prison. And if they attend just two protests in a five year period that could have caused such serious disruption they may be subject to protest banning orders which mean that the police can monitor where they live, restrict who they meet, where and when they go out and their use of the internet. Meanwhile the new Stop and Search powers mean that police can arbitrarily stop any young person and search them on the basis that they might be carrying a banner, badges, leaflets to support a ‘banned protest, and we know from previous experience who is most likely to be targeted: black and ethnic minority youth who have already been disproportionality arrested and are more vulnerable than others to mental health problems, largely because of inequity and social injustice. 

One result of this legislation, if passed, will be that young people face a choice between being intimidated into inaction and isolation, or possibly criminalised if they choose to act. Some may deliberately choose to escalate their actions to be more disruptive and possibly violent, given the severe consequences for even minor nonviolent activity. Whichever choice they make it will have profound consequences for their mental well being and the wellbeing of the wider community.

This is why as mental health professionals we feel obliged to condemn this bill and add our voices to the increasing number of individuals, professional bodies and organisations who have spoken out against it including, health and social care workers, legal academics, former police chiefs and numerous others.

Protecting young people’s mental health is our paramount duty. Taking action for and with them to address the planetary crisis is equally important. We ask our political representatives to recognise these concerns and oppose this dangerous Bill.

Yours sincerely,

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL SIGNATORIES HAVE SIGNED IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITY UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED