Industry unites for Do It Day hack to find solutions to issues affecting children's mental health

This year, The Drum has partnered with Why Digital, who are hosting a one-day “fringe” Hackathon tomorrow (23 October) in Bournemouth, again with a similar motive – to combat the stigma that surrounds mental health.

Under a similar premise as the years before, this “fringe” hack will aim to open up the conversation on mental health – although this time it will focus more specifically on children.

Calling upon creatives, marketers and anyone who loves ideas, the Do It Day Bournemouth Hack will work on a meaningful brief to help the youth with their mental health.

Mental health in children has never been higher – affecting about 1 in 10 children and young people, with half of all problems manifesting at the age of 14.

With more and more youths receiving diagnoses for medical issues such as stress, depression, anxiety and self-harm and with suicide rates in under 18s increasing 67% between 2010 to 2017, finding a solution to the issue of young people's mental health is highly pertinent - thus making tomorrow's meet all the more significant.

Tomorrow, the industry individuals will work from a brief from Dorset Mind, using their specific business skill set to work together to make the world a better place.

The Do It Day hackathon intends to get into full ‘ideas’ mode to try to find a solution to the issue - 'how to offer a fresh perspective to under 18s who are at risk of mental health issues and suicide, whilst empowering them to help themselves and each other more.'

Using their business skill sets, in response to this issue, the Do It Day-ers will be encouraged to find a solution via a PR campaign, a digital product, a communications strategy, workshop-based or a combination of them all.

The Drum will report after the event on how the outcomes of the day.