July 15, 2025 - 609 views
Youth Ambassadors for North Wales Police recently attended the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl for the launch of a new mental health initiative.
The event was held in support of Z-cards - wallet-sized resources that provide quick access to information about mental health and wellbeing.
Designed by young people, for young people, the cards provide a discreet way to find support and resources, including helplines and self-care strategies.
Leaflets contained within the cards promote established and safe local and regional services that provide swift interventions around specialist mental health options.
Advice and guidance from the NHS can be accessed via a prominent QR code and up to date national helplines and charities are detailed.
Additionally, Z-cards provide a visual reminder to prioritise mental health and wellbeing, and that support is available.
This multi-agency initiative was led by the Prevention Unit in North Wales Police and supported by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and senior nurses at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
As part of the consultation and design process—which included workshops, surveys, and focus groups—members of the North Wales Young Ambassadors Programme worked to develop a resource tailored to resonate with young people.
Over 100,000 cards have now been printed, and North Wales Police officers will carry and distribute them to young people facing mental health crises.
Youth Engagement and Intervention Constable Melanie Cartledge said: “Young people feel they face barriers in accessing mental health support.
“It is not always clear who they should talk to or where they should go. Services being mapped out and clear context, enables young people to seek support autonomously.
“From here they can make decisions on what may feel best for them, depending on their place and time, and the type of care they may want to choose.
North Wales Police Mental Health Lead, Caroline Curry said “This is a fantastic example of young people taking ownership of an issue that affects them deeply. Their voices and their perspectives are central to the solutions on how we can all work together to better understand and support young people with their mental health.
“In a world where we perceive that young people want everything to be accessible on a digital platform, we have learned through this feedback, that young people want something handheld, and tangible, that they can keep on their person, and can be referred to at any time.
“Each leaflet reflects the unique resources available to our young citizens, across our North Wales regions, and in the wider scope of the national landscape.
“These young creators have found a way to benefit the many young people after them, who are going to need to learn to navigate resources. There are so many opportunities out there, we just need to learn how to access them and share our knowledge.”
To find out more about the North Wales Young Ambassadors Programme, please click here.
