It’s Children’s Mental Health Week (5-11 February 2024) and this year’s theme is 'My Voice Matters'. To support your school, we’ve put together some tips and resources.
Children's Mental Health Week is a mental health awareness week that empowers, equips, and gives a voice to all children and young people in the UK.
Every child has the right to express their views, feelings, and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously.
'My Voice Matters is about empowering children and young people by providing them with the tools they need to express themselves.' – Place2Be.
For Children’s Mental Health Week 2024, Place2Be wants all children and young people to be able to say – and believe - “My Voice Matters.”
According to Place2Be, around three children in every primary school class experience a mental health issue.
Many children struggle with challenges such as bullying, body image and bereavement. This awareness week, which was first launched in 2015 by Place2Be, shines a light on these issues and the importance of children and young people’s mental health.
Tips for supporting children's mental health in the classroom:- Normalise the conversation
One of the first steps in promoting mental health awareness is normalising the conversation surrounding it. Start by incorporating discussions about emotions, stress management, and coping strategies into your curriculum. Encourage open dialogue and let students know it’s okay to talk about their feelings.
- Create a safe space
Ensure your classroom is a safe and inclusive space where all students feel valued and respected. Be mindful of language and behaviour that may contribute to stigma surrounding mental health issues. Encourage empathy and understanding among students and intervene if you observe any bullying or harmful behaviour.
- Incorporate mindfulness practices
Introduce mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga into your classroom routine. These practices can help students develop self-awareness, manage stress, and improve their overall well-being. Consider starting each class with a brief mindfulness exercise to set a positive tone for the day.
- Offer support
Be attentive to signs of distress or changes in behaviour among your students. If you notice a student struggling with their mental health, reach out to offer support and connect them with appropriate resources. Let them know they are not alone, and that help is available.
Tools and resources for schools, academies and multi-academy trusts
Place2BE’s School & Youth Groups Resources
Place2Be’s free resources can be adapted for use in school, home-schooling, online lessons or independent learning. There’s a variety of activities available, sectioned into primary and secondary. Each package includes assembly guides, class activities, and fundraising ideas.
Place2BE’s Parents & Carers Resources
As well as school and youth group resources, Place2Be also have resources for parents and carers. These resources include top tips to help children express themselves, drawing activities, and an art game to encourage expression.
BBC - Mental Health and Wellbeing Teaching Resources
BBC have a collection for both primary and secondary students. Many themes are explored throughout these resources. These themes include mental health, body image, friendship, bravery, learning differences, and a growth mindset. For primary and secondary school children there are animations, short films, and episodes.
YoungMinds has different tools and resources suitable for children and young people. There are School Resources, books and leaflets, posters, and more for schools to raise awareness.
Anna Freud – Mentally Healthy Schools Resources
Anna Freud’s 5 steps to mental health and wellbeing in schools is a vital resource: 1. Leading change, 2. Working together, 3. Understanding need, 4. Promoting well-being and 5. Support staff. This charity has a range of tools and resources – from toolkits to a ‘tracking my feelings’ tool allowing children to identify trigger points and positivity in their day-to-day lives.
It’s important that children’s voices are heard – and that no child or young person should face mental health problems alone.
If a child or young person is experiencing mental health difficulties you can get support from NHS services here.