LET'S TALK: a comic by young people exploring mental health

preface This graphic novel is based on the Luton Young Voices research project, which explored how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health and well-being of young people in Luton. Our goal was to listen directly to young people and parents from diverse ethnic groups whose voices are often overlooked, and to ensure that their experiences inform how schools, services, and communities support them.

The pandemic intensified existing inequalities. For young people, this often meant increased loneliness, reduced access to support, and greater stigma surrounding mental health. Yet both young people and parents were clear that these challenges were not exclusive to the COVID-19 period.

Rather, the pandemic brought longstanding issues into sharper focus, issues that continue to shape young people’s lives today. This is why responding to their concerns, and helping to destigmatise mental health, is so critical.

We chose the format of a graphic novel because we wanted to present these experiences in a way that is accessible, engaging, and relatable.

Traditional research reports are essential for academic and policy audiences, but they can feel distant to young people themselves. A visual narrative enables us to share lived experiences more vividly and encourages conversations among young people, parents, practitioners, and policymakers.

The story you will read are drawn from interviews, workshops, and conversations.

The characters are composites, created to reflect recurring themes and experiences.

They speak to the realities of isolation, stigma, faith, identity, and the importance of safe spaces where young people can be themselves. Alongside the challenges, they also reveal solutions: the power of peer support, small acts of kindness, creative expression, and opportunities for young people to shape the services that affect them.

We hope this graphic novel will be more than just a record of research. Our intention is that it becomes a tool for dialogue, something that can be used in classrooms, youth groups, professional training, and family conversations. By presenting research in this form, we hope to deepen empathy, challenge stigma, and inspire action to build fairer and more inclusive systems of support.

Above all, this work is a reminder that when young people and parents are listened to, wellbeing improves, confidence grows, and communities are strengthened. Their voices must not only be heard but acted upon.

Professor Nasreen Ali nasreen.ali@beds.ac.uk 2025

to read the executive summary of luton young voices, visit: www.beds.ac.uk/tlc-research/health-and-social-care-inequalities-projects/ this project has been generously funded by the Luton Borough Council.

This project could not have been achieved without collaboration.

Young people and parents gave their time, honesty, and creativity in sharing their experiences. Professionals were also interviewed and offered valuable insights. Our creative team translated these findings into a compelling visual form. We are deeply grateful to them all.

2

Luton, present day...

3

Keep at it.

A Levels are sooner than you think.

Keep at it...

Keep at it...

Keep at it...

4

Mum, I’m worried about Salman.

5

Salman?

What do you mean? He’s top of his class.

Yes, and I think it’s really taking a toll on him. He’s up late every night.

He bites his nails bloody.

You’re sweet to worry.

But he’s alright. Those are signs he’s growing up, taking his responsibilities seriously. He has to look after his wife and kids one day. and who’s going to look after us when you are married and gone!

Now, pass me those peppers.

He’s even stopped playing video games with his friends.

6

You should really check on Salman, mum.

7

haha WHat! --no but what about that one time

--anyway, They just want hook-ups, and then the texts asking for photos follow...

but i don’t think so, just-...Isn’t it time you got a new phone, Maya?

and you just know…

absolutely vintage tho!

Have you seen Ayra lately? she’s so thin.

She’s just stopped eating!

Last night on Roblox, I was in D.T.I. and Naomi called me fat.

I’m a size eight!

8

I try not to let it get to me, but it really wears you down.

My god, why didn’t she tell anyone?

Her parents wanted to keep it secret.

I follow this girl on TikTok, right?

Her parents said she went to visit family for a term, but she was actually in London at a hospital.

She tried to kill herself after her ‘boyfriend’ shared around a video she’d made for him.

They’re more embarrassed that she’s ‘crazy’ than worried about her well-being. Her mum actually said she thought Jinn made her do it!

I try talking to mine about this stuff and she just brushes me off.

Seriously.

My mum thinks confession is the only help a person could need.

I don’t know. I tried to talk to the school nurse and he kept asking me weird questions, like about my hijab. Seemed kind of racist, tbh.

It’s impossible.

At least they could talk to a doctor or something.

9

Mum, I am really worried about Salman.

This again?

He’s fine, Saadia. Just a little tired.

It’s more than that.

A doctor?

I don’t know about that.

I’ve talked to Salman...

I think he’s depressed. He’s losing a lot of sleep.

He needs to see a doctor.

...He says he’s fine.

Just a little stressed about school...

Please Please, mum.

10

It’s a good thing you brought Salman in...

...Oh dear.

What will people say?

...Some of the things you told me are symptoms of an anxiety disorder. He’s also showing signs of depression.

It’s nothing to be ashamed of.

Between the pressures of social media and the trauma of the pandemic... ... many young people are struggling with mental health.

What should we do? What can we do?

Thanks for having my back.

11

Let’s start him on a course of tablets to help him with his depression and see how it goes. I’ll see him again in four weeks.