Children's Mental Health Week

Children's Mental Health Week 2023 takes places between 6 to 12 February.

For this year's theme Let's Connect, Place2Be is encouraging children (and adults) to connect with others in healthy, rewarding, and meaningful ways.

Around five children in every classroom have a mental health problem and many more struggle with challenges from bullying to bereavement. Whether you're someone who works with children, a parent or carer, passionate about spreading the word, or keen to raise vital funds for Place2Be, you can get involved and help us reach as many people as possible.

Free resources for schools and colleges

Our free resources for schools and colleges are now available, including assembly guides, slides, group activities, fundraising ideas, and more to help schools and youth groups explore the theme of Let's Connect.

Filter by age range to find resources that will work best for the children and young people you work with - with resources available for children aged 4-18 this year.

Free resources for families

Parents and carers play an important role in their child's mental health. We've shared some top tips, and activity ideas, to help you and your family take part in the week.

Dress to Express 

Help to make this year's Children's Mental Health Week the biggest and best yet by organising a Dress to Express fundraiser. The idea is simple - use colour to express yourself during the week by wearing a colourful outfit and donating £2 to Place2Be.    

Download our free Fundraising Pack to find out how your school, organisation, friends and family can get involved, and help raise vital funds for children's mental health.

Spread the word 

We'd love your support to help us spread the word and raise awareness of the importance of children's mental health. Download our free social media guide with template posts, downloadable images and more ideas to inspire you. 

Is this love?

The Zone has produced a short, easy-to-read guide explaining the different types of abuse (PDF) [441KB] that a young person might encounter.

Events

CAMHS Early Help and Infant Mental Health

As part of Children's Mental health week, CAMHS Early Help and Infant Mental Health teams will be offering a drop-in session at Poole Farm on Wednesday 8 February between 2 pm and 5 pm. Clinicians from CAMHS Early Help and Infant Mental Health will be available to discuss any concerns regarding emotional health and well-being.

The aim is to provide an opportunity to experience nature and the larger world around us which weaves around our lives. The theme for Mental Health Awareness week this year is 'lets connect' and we will explore the opportunity to re-connect to the natural world and to each other. Being in a natural outdoor environment is helpful to us all to regulate our emotions as well as to gain perspective.

There will be the opportunity to do fire lighting, marshmallow toasting, nature-based crafts and mini raft building as our activities. There may also be the opportunity for animal encounters if the young people are happy to do this.

Activities will include fire lighting, nature based crafts, mini raft building, marshmallow toasting, possible animal encounters, nature trail, and activities that can be done at home to promote mental health.

Staff will be on hand and available to discuss any issues with you to promote children's mental health.

To access Poole Farm please park in the second car park on the right-hand side on Rydal Close PL6 8TR which is just off Keswick Crescent (opposite Torbridge High).

For more information, please email sharon.hurrell1@nhs.net.

Workshops for Young People by the Progeny

Each day, from Monday 6 February to Friday 10 February , the Progeny are running mental health workshops for young people. There are three sessions each day: 9am to 10am, 11am to 12 noon and 2pm to 3pm.

Please note that these sessions have been designed for students in Year 8; their basis is Mental Health Awareness and Connection.

For more information, please email enquiries@thezoneplymouth.co.uk or call 01752 206626.