Skateboarding Heals: Youth Mental Health Boost

Skateboarding offers a vital avenue for supporting young men's mental health, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation. Youth worker Matt Davey established the Head On Board project in Hastings after witnessing the impact of mental health challenges on young people within the local skate scene.

Davey emphasizes that skateboarding provides an inclusive, intergenerational activity that is accessible and welcoming to all. The sport creates a sense of belonging, acting as a positive space where young people can escape daily pressures. Head On Board organizes events and workshops, and equips individuals with mental health first aid training to help friends in distress.

This initiative addresses research indicating that a substantial number of young men aged 11-24 experience loneliness. Government efforts, including campaigns encouraging sports participation and promoting community involvement, aim to tackle isolation and enhance the wellbeing of young men.