The Silent Struggle: How Speech and Language Challenges Can Affect Mental Health

When a young person can’t find the words, it can be more than just frustrating — it can be isolating, confusing, and emotionally overwhelming. At Vocal Voyage, we know that speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) aren’t just about talking — they’re about connection. And when that connection is disrupted, mental health can be too.

Research shows that young people with SLCN are significantly more likely to experience emotional or behavioural difficulties — yet this link is often missed or misunderstood.

📊 What the Research Says

• 81% of young people with emotional and behavioural disorders have significant language difficulties — many of which are unidentified¹
• Between 40% and 54% of young people with spoken language difficulties also have behaviour problems² ³
• Mental health support is often delivered through talking therapies — but for those who struggle to speak or understand language, this can be a major barrier to accessing help

This creates a difficult reality: the young people who need support the most are often the ones who can’t access it in the way it’s offered.

🧠 Is Poor Mental Health Inevitable?

Not at all — but there is a clear link.

The relationship between communication skills and mental health is complex, and not every young person with speech or language challenges will experience poor mental health. But the risk is higher, especially when the right support isn’t in place early.

That’s why awareness matters. Spotting the signs early can help prevent small struggles from becoming bigger ones.

🧩 Why Communication Skills Matter for Mental Health

We use our communication skills every day to:

• Talk about how we’re feeling
• Understand the emotions of others
• Resolve conflict and navigate social situations
• Ask for help when we need it

When a young person struggles to express themselves or understand others, they may also:

• Feel isolated or misunderstood
• Struggle to make and keep friends
• Experience frustration, anxiety, or low self-worth
• Miss out on learning opportunities or be wrongly labelled as “difficult”

Over time, this can lead to poor mental health — and sadly, it often does.

👀 What Can I Do to Help?

Here are some ways to support a young person who might be struggling:

🔎 Be Curious

When a young person is showing difficulties with learning, behaviour, friendships or emotional wellbeing — take a moment to look at their communication. It might be part of the picture.

🧩 Use Visuals

Support reflection after behavioural incidents using visuals — emotion cards, comic strip conversations, or drawing can help a young person express themselves when words are hard to find.

🗣️ Speak Clearly and Calmly

Use short, simple sentences. Talk slowly, pause often, and make sure you’re using language they can understand — especially when they’re upset or overwhelmed.

🚫 Don’t Finish Their Sentences

You might think you’re helping by jumping in and saying the word for them — but from the mind of a young person, that moment can feel like failure.
It tells them: “You couldn’t do it.”
Instead, give them time. Wait patiently. Let silence be okay. You’re showing them that their voice, however long it takes, is worth waiting for.

🏫 Review School Policies

Does your school’s behaviour policy take speech, language and communication needs into account? It should — the links between communication and emotional wellbeing are too strong to ignore.

🌍 Explore Local Support

Check your Local Offer to see what’s available in your area for young people with both mental health needs and speech, language or communication challenges.

🧡 How Vocal Voyage Can Help

At Vocal Voyage, we support young people aged 11–24 who experience speech and language challenges — especially those who are also struggling with confidence, anxiety, friendships, or emotional wellbeing.

We offer:

• One-to-one mentoring
• Youth-led groups and safe spaces
• Support for parents and families
• Awareness-raising in schools and communities

We’re not a therapy service — but we listen, we understand, and we walk alongside young people who need someone in their corner.

If more formal support is needed, like mental health services or counselling, we’ll help you navigate the system and connect with the right people. But the first step?

Talk to us.
Let’s work it out together — because you don’t have to do this alone.

📢 Every Voice Matters

Mental health and communication don’t exist in separate boxes — they’re deeply connected. And no young person should have to face either one alone.

At Vocal Voyage, we’re here to make sure young people aged 11–24 are seen, heard, and supported. Through mentoring, youth clubs, family support, and awareness-raising, we help young people build confidence, grow their voice, and protect their wellbeing.

Let’s raise awareness. Let’s listen differently.
And let’s create a world where every voice matters.

🔍 References

1. Hollo, A., Wehby, J. H., & Oliver, R. M. (2014). Unidentified language deficits in children with emotional and behavioral disorders: a meta-analysis. Exceptional Children, 80(2), 169–186
2. van Daal, J., Verhoeven, L., & van Balkom, H. (2007). Behaviour problems in children with language impairment. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48(11), 1139–1147
3. Maggio, V., Grañana, N. E., Richaudeau, A., et al. (2014). Behavior problems in children with specific language impairment. Journal of Child Neurology, 29(2), 194–202