DIANA AWARD: YOUTH WELLBEING

One year after launching their groundbreaking Decade of Youth Wellbeing initiative, The Diana Award brought together an intimate gathering of young leaders, philanthropists, and changemakers in London for a powerful discussion on how social activism is transforming mental health outcomes for an entire generation.

The Diana Award, founded in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales and supported by both her sons Prince William and Prince Harry, has made youth empowerment central to its mission through programs including mentoring for at-risk youth, anti-bullying campaigns, and collaborative initiatives that reimagine mental health support for young people from racialised communities.

Young Voices Leading Change

The ServiceNow-hosted event featured around 40 participants who heard directly from three inspiring 23-year-old activists: Lottie Leach, Elsa Arnold, and Idorenyin Hope Akpan. These young leaders, who have collaborated with The Diana Award on projects addressing inequality and mental health challenges, shared candid insights about how their activism has strengthened their personal resilience, sense of purpose, and hope for the future.

The discussion was chaired by Legacy Award holder Dan Lawes, a prominent children’s rights campaigner, highlighting The Diana Award’s commitment to youth-led dialogue and solutions.

The Duke of Sussex Reflects on Youth Agency

Following the panel discussion, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, offered his reflections on the conversation:

“Getting involved in peaceful social action takes courage and determination. Young people see the issues society faces close up whether that’s poor mental health or the consequences of inequalities. But you don’t stand still. Your empathy and compassion drive you to make change.

When you spoke about how taking action gave you purpose, confidence and joy, it was more powerful than any statistic. It reminded me that agency is not a luxury for young people, it is a lifeline.

My mother believed in the power and agency of young people to positively impact the world. The Diana Award continues her legacy by putting young people at the heart of everything they do. Today is a perfect example of that.”

The Mental Health Crisis by the Numbers

Dr. Tessy Ojo CBE, CEO of The Diana Award, emphasized the urgency behind the organization’s decade-long focus on mental health:

“One in five young people is living with a diagnosable mental health condition, and four in ten feel powerless about their future. The crisis is real. When young people are trusted to lead and take action, their wellbeing rises, their resilience grows, and hope is restored. Put simply, action heals minds.”

Corporate Partnership for Change

ServiceNow’s involvement in the initiative reflects a broader understanding of how solving complex social problems requires both technological innovation and human leadership. Paul Fipps, President of Global Customer Operations at ServiceNow, explained their commitment:

“At ServiceNow, we believe that solving the world’s toughest problems takes more than technology — it takes people. That’s why our partnership with The Diana Award is so meaningful. It’s how we turn belief into action – by helping the next generation lead, innovate, and shape the future we all want to see.”

A Global Movement for Youth Wellbeing

The Decade of Youth Wellbeing, which launched in September 2024 at the Concordia Annual Summit in New York with Prince Harry’s participation, represents a global movement that positions young people as central figures in addressing the mental health crisis. Over the next ten years, this initiative aims to provide young activists with platforms and tools to drive conversations and promote wellbeing worldwide.

The London event exemplified the initiative’s core principle: that when young people are empowered to take action on issues they care about, they don’t just change their communities—they transform their own mental health and wellbeing in the process.