Young parents release mental health music video

A charity in Cornwall that supported the mental health of young parents during and after the Covid-19 pandemic has launched a music video challenging the "untrue narratives" around being a younger mum or dad.

Members of Wild Young Parents created Rant Club as part of the Rant Club programme, which offers information on mental wellbeing and suicide prevention.

The sessions were delivered in collaboration with theatre company Trifle Gathering Productions, and created a space for members to share what life is like as a young parent in Cornwall.

The experiences that were captured were then transformed into lyrics, which were co-written by young parents, before it was turned into a music video.

Research by Wild Young Parents found that 71% of new mum and dads in Cornwall under the age of 23 felt they needed support with their mental health and that many struggled with loneliness and isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jo David, chief executive of Wild Young Parents, said: "Parenting is universally recognised as being one of the toughest jobs in the world, yet young parents are often judged more harshly than others.

"We hope the music video goes some way to changing some of the untrue narratives that exist about young parents.

"We hope that people will begin to see young parents as we do – as heroes who are trying their very best and who are living with hope and ambition for their babies."

Kyla Goodey, from Trifle Gathering Productions, said: "Rant Club project was born out of a time of fear, bewilderment and vulnerability.

"Their ravings became the lyrics to a song and the song has become a very special message to the world."

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