Children's Mental Health Week
My Voice Matters | Children's Mental Health Week 2024
Children's Mental Health Week was launched in 2015 by Place2Be and it's now in its 10th year! This year the theme is 'My Voice Matters'.
‘My Voice Matters’ is about empowering children and young people by providing them with 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 can make a difference and have a greater sense of community and self-esteem.
We marked Children's Mental Health Week by having a whole school worship considering Children's Mental Health Week. Each class then spent an afternoon completing activities and we finished the week with a Dress to Express Day! Dress to Express day is a day where children are able to dres up however they would like to express themselves. We have children representing the services, Disney princesses, cheer and gymnastics clubs and even dragons! Here are some photos of this year's Dress to Express Day:
Why do we take part in Dress to Express?
Harri in Year 5 said "We are dressing to express ourselves because it advertises the fact that when people leave mean comments on social media it can lead to negative consequences"
Fin G in Year 6 said "It's important to celebrate Chidlren's Mental Health week because if we didn't then lots of children will have bad mental health because they won't know what mental health is and how to look after it"
Why is children's mental health important?
The stats show 1 in 5 children and young people have a probable mental health condition and many continue to have these issues into adulthood.
50% of those with lifetime mental health issues 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 schools.
Let's Connect | Children's Mental Health Week 2023
Dear Parents and carers
6 – 12 February 2023 is Children’s Mental Health Week. The week is run by children’s mental health charity Place2Be to raise awareness of the importance of children and young people’s mental health. This year’s theme is Let’s Connect.
Human beings thrive in communities, and this connection is vital for our wellbeing, and our survival. When we have healthy connections – to family, friends and others – this can support our mental health and our sense of wellbeing. And when our need for rewarding social connections is not met, we can sometimes feel isolated and lonely – which can have a negative impact on our mental health.
Let's Connect is about making meaningful connections for all, during Children's Mental Health Week - and beyond. For Children’s Mental Health Week 2023, we’re encouraging people to connect with others in healthy, rewarding, and meaningful ways. Watch the video below to learn more about the theme.
We are also asking everyone to ‘Dress to Express’ On Thursday 9th February, we would like to invite all children, staff and parents to ‘Dress to Express’.This could be through favourite colours, hairstyles, favourite sports kits, fancy dress, party clothes…whatever your child wants to wear as an expression of themselves. Be as creative as you like and parents this is your opportunity to embrace the crazy side of you!
Throughout the week the children will be having many opportunities to discuss mental health and getting involved in a range of activities to support this.
Tips for Parents
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Support for families
Ideas for exploring mental wellness at home
Children's Mental Health Week 2023: Let's Connect
Hedgehog Class - Year 2
