Children's Mental Health Week 2024

The NHS recorded that 1 in 5 children and young people experienced a probable mental health disorder in 2023. However, the Mental Health Foundation found that 70% of children and young people do not have appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.

Children’s mental health week takes place 5^th-11^th February 2024 and aims to generate awareness for the mental wellbeing of children and young people.

Organised by Place2Be, a committed mental health service, Children’s Mental Health Week is dedicated to supporting pupils, teachers, and parents in protecting young people’s mental health and to see that no child goes through mental health struggles alone.

Through collaboration with schools and one-to-one counselling, Children’s Mental Health Week and Place2Be focuses on teaching children resilience, ways to improve mental wellbeing, and how to comfortably talk about mental health, preparing them for later life and equipping them with better mental clarity.

Through this, children will develop the ability to comfortably discus their worries and gain better understand of their mental wellbeing, which are extremely valuable skills in preparation for adult life.

My Voice Matters

In 2024, the theme for Children’s Mental Health Week is “My Voice Matters” focusing on empowering children and young people to use their voice to understand, process, and express their mind and mental wellbeing with confidence.

Place2Be

Place2Be is a children and young person’s mental health charity that has provided mental health support in schools for 30 years. They have extensive experience working with pupils, families, and staff in UK schools to appropriately and swifty address children’s mental health.

Place2Be recognises that if a child or young person is struggling with their mental health, their ability to learn is impeded. To tackle this, Place2Be provides a professional mental health service directly to schools.

Place2Be are committed to supporting children facing mental health problems, ensuring they don’t face them alone, providing comprehensive one-to-one counselling, and giving some pupils the autonomy to book their own appointments.

Often, if a child is severely struggling with their mental health, so is the parent or care giver. Place2Be supports parents in addressing their mental health needs to improve their mental wellbeing and be in a better position to help their child or young person.

Place2Be also works closely with teachers and school staff to combat any concerns they may have around supporting their children.

How can my organisation support?

There are several ways to support children’s mental health week, some of which are simple and take little to no time.

1. Fundraise

Place2Be offers an ‘Express yourself’ fundraising resources were you can find helpful tips on how to fundraise. It also offers engaging resources, such as collection boxes, promotion, and social media graphics to help you along.

Here are some good ways to fundraise:

• Raffle
• Quiz
• Bake off
• Charity auction
• Talent show
• Tournaments

2. Post on social media

Simply posting on social media about children’s mental health week will spread the word and gets more people interested and involved in the cause. The Place2Be website has social media graphics, promotional details, and a social media guide to help you post quality content.

3. Offer mental health support

Mental health matters and ultimately this is the main aim of children’s mental health week.

Creating a safe and comfortable environment for your people will benefit their mental health, their children, and your organisation.

If your colleague is experiencing poor mental health, it is very unlikely that they can support their child.

Adopting an Employee Assistance Programme gives your people the mental wellbeing help they need to have better mental clarity, support their children and focus on your organisation.

Supporting your organisation's mental health challenges

With a Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), we can offer you practical advice and support when it comes to dealing with anxiety, and depression, and how to improve your work-life balance.

Our EAP provides guidance and supports your employees with their mental health in the workplace and at home. We can help you create a safe, productive workspace that supports all.

We support your employee's mental wellbeing with any problems they might be facing in their professional or personal lives with our 24-hour counselling helpline.

Find out more about EAPs