Sam Taylor, 18, first noticed he was having problems with his mental health around three years ago. He found it difficult to talk about what was happening to him and it was not until his depression became “most severe” that the JFS pupil sought help.

The Stanmore teenager is one of a group trying to raise awareness of mental health issues among the young as part of Children’s Mental Health Week by organising a concert to raise money for the Spread a Smile UK charity.

Being staged at the Radlett Centre later this month, it will feature young people performing songs reflecting their struggles with mental health.

To promote the concert, Sam and his friends have been sharing their experiences in candid videos on social media.

“We are trying to present mental health issues as something normal to talk about,” he explained. “We want people to understand it is not their fault they feel the way they do and that a lot of help can come from talking about it.

“Since I have started to talk about my own experience, my friends have opened up to say they have had similar experiences.”

The idea behind the fundraising effort stemmed from Sam’s love of music, a passion which has helped him to manage his depression.

“It is the one thing that gets me through,” he told the JC. “I love music and singing. It is a really positive outlet for me.”

The teenager, who is directing the concert, will be performing a number from Dear Evan Hansen, the Broadway smash musical about teenage mental health which has now come to the West End.

All proceeds will go to Spread A Smile, which provides entertainment to seriously ill young people in hospital.

“It can be a very depressing time for young people in hospital and this charity goes in and does something positive and uplifting to cheer them up.”