Supporting children’s and young people’s mental health
Children's Mental Health Week, taking place from 1- 7 February, is an annual campaign launched by mental health charity Place2Be in 2015 and is aimed at supporting children and young people’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
Each year there is different theme which embodies the spirit of making children and young people aware of mental health, the impacts mental health difficulties can have and the support that is available to them, and their families or carers.
This year’s awareness week focusses on ‘expressing yourself’, and aims to share how children and young people can express themselves through activities that ‘make you feel good’ such as art, music, poetry, writing, photography or reading.
This week, as part of Children’s Mental Health Week children, young people and adults are being encouraged to do one thing this week which expresses our thoughts and feelings creatively. Click here to find out more about Place2Be and Children’s Mental Health Week.
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) provides mental health services for children and young people across the county. We work with children and young people through participation to help develop our services, through their experiences. Some of our service users have shared their tops for how they take time out to look after their wellbeing. Here are just some ways you can take time out this week:
- Try something new, such as arts and crafts or knitting
- Read a new book
- Try an online dance class
- Head out on a walk with your household
- Listen to a new artist or band
- Create a mood board
- Try journaling
Young people can receive support and advice from CAMHS Live by speaking to a colleague or Chat Health to text a school nurse to discuss their health and wellbeing on 07507 329 600.
For more information about CAMHS in our community head to our service page: www.nhft.nhs.uk/camhs
Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, has marked the start of Children's Mental Health week by urging parents and their children to open up about their feelings, particularly during such a challenging time.