Children's Mental Health Week-What is it?

Children's Mental Health Week-What is it?

Children's Mental Health Week, taking place the 5th-11th February, is a mental health awareness week that empowers, equips and gives a voice to all children and young people in the UK. 

 Place2Be launched the mental health awareness week in 2015 to give a voice to every child in the UK. Every year Children’s Mental Health Week sees hundreds of schools, children, parents and carers taking part.

This years theme: My Voice Matters. 

My Voice Matters is about empowering children and young people by providing them with the tools they need to express themselves.

When we feel empowered, this can have a positive impact on our wellbeing. Children and young people who feel that their voices are heard and can make a difference have a greater sense of community and self-esteem. 

Why is Children's Mental Health Week important?

Over the years the subject of Mental Health and wellbeing in children has become increasingly popular, but why?

According to an NHS England report published in November 2023, 1 in 5 children and young people aged 8-25 years now have a probable mental health condition – around 5 children in every classroom.

When it comes to school attendance, children with a probable mental health condition were 7 times more likely to have missed more than 15 days of school in the autumn term of 2022.

This year’s data shows the important role that schools and education providers play in supporting children and young people’s mental health. Of those with a probable mental health condition, 53.1% reported accessing mental health support in school and 81.3% reported they knew how to get support in school.  

So make Children's Mental Health Week a priority in your school and let's support all children  to expressthemselves! 

Think a workshop might help support your children explore the topic of Mental Health? Take a look at our range of educational and creative workshops here!