The aim of Children's Mental Health Week is to give all children and young people, wherever they are in the world and whoever they are, the ability to be able to say and believe.
My Voice Matters
My Voice Matters is about empowering children and young people with the tools they need to express themselves. When we feel empowered, it can have such a positive impact on our overall wellbeing. This awareness week is run by Place2Be, a children's mental health charity who provide mental health support, training, and counselling in UK schools. They believe that children should not have to face mental health problems alone. They launched Children's Mental Health Week in 2015 and it has since grown and become a well-recognised event. Research-backed methods have been used by Place2Be with pupils, families, and staff for 30 years.
Why is it so important to have an awareness week for Children's Mental Health?
- 1 in 5 children and young people have a probable mental health condition, and many continue to experience these problems into adulthood.
- 50% of those with lifetime mental health problems first experience symptoms by the age of 14.
- 1 in 10 boys aged 5-19 with a mental health condition are suspended in some form from school.
Place2Be have shared the following statistics, in the last school year:
- 6,901 pupils were supported through one-to-one counselling
- 33,327 pupils booked their own appointments to speak to our mental health professionals
According to new data released this week, over half (55%) of children and young people say they have difficulty seeking mental health support.
These statistics are based on the information provided by Place2Be. Of course, there are other support services available to Children and Young People. However, sadly the numbers of children and young people dealing with Mental Health Issues will be much higher than this.
Parents and carers play an important role in supporting children with their mental health. Talking openly about their mental health doesn’t need to be a made into something bigger than it is, which can often make a child feel anxious that you are having an unusual conversation with them. Asking some simple questions like how their day has been, what they’ve done at school, how they are feeling? Often asking simple questions daily can help to identify if there are any problems or things that may be going on that they haven’t told you about.
If you would like further information or resources from the Childrens Mental Health Charity, you can access their website here: