Children’s Mental Health Week 2026

Childhood is a critical stage in shaping lifelong mental health and well-being. During this period, the brain undergoes rapid growth and development, laying the foundation for how young people think, feel and interact with the world around them. These influence their future mental health and their capacity to take on adult roles in society.

Recognizing the range of mental health challenges that children may face highlights just how important awareness, early support, and open conversations truly are. This is exactly why initiatives like Children’s Mental Health Week play such a vital role.

What is Children’s Mental Health Week

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is organized by the Place2Be charity and it usually takes place in the first few weeks of February. This year, it will take place from February 9th to 15th.

The theme for 2026, “This Is My Place,” focuses on encouraging a strong sense of belonging in friendships, in school and within our wider communities. When children and young people feel that they belong, it helps them feel more connected to others and empowers them to step out into the world with confidence and create positive change.

Why Children’s Mental Health Matters

When your child feels emotionally supported, they can become healthier, happier and resilient adults. Here’s why your child’s mental health is important:

Shapes Emotional Development

Children tend to go through a multitude of emotions. They feel disappointment, anger, anxiety, etc. Good mental health can help your child understand and express these emotions in a healthy way. Your child will carry these emotions into adulthood but they might be better-equipped to cope with such feelings.

Impact on Academic Success

When your children feel emotionally secure, they are more likely to concentrate better in class, participate in activities, build positive relationships with teachers and peers and stay motivated and confident in their abilities. Poor mental health, on the other hand, can affect focus, attendance, and overall school performance.

Social Skills & Relationships

Strong mental well-being can support your children in making friends, developing empathy, communicating effectively as well as resolving conflict. A sense of belonging at home, in school and in the community can strengthen these social bonds.

Builds Resilience

Resilience is a child’s ability to cope with challenges, adapt to change and recover from setbacks. It doesn’t mean children don’t experience stress or sadness, it equips them with the emotional tools to navigate those feelings in healthy ways. Resilient children adjust more easily to change, be it new schools, routines or social environments.

Common Mental Health Challenges in Children

Understanding the most common mental health challenges can help you recognise early signs and respond effectively.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health concerns in children. Beyond everyday worries, these conditions involve excessive fear or nervousness that can interfere with your child’s school, friendships and daily routines. Your children may experience separation anxiety, social anxiety and panic symptoms. Children may also experience physical issues like headaches or stomach aches

Depression

Depression in children often presents differently than in adults and may be mistaken for behavioural issues. Common signs may include ongoing sadness or irritability, withdrawal from friends or activities or changes in sleep or appetite. Children may find it difficult to concentrate and often feel hopeless. Therefore, early emotional support is key to recovery and healthy development.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD can affect a child’s ability to regulate attention, impulses and activity levels. Children with ADHD may show trouble focusing or completing tasks and impulsive behaviour. Pay close attention to excessive talking or movement, difficulty following simple instructions or academic struggles. With structured support, behavioural strategies and sometimes medical care, your children may succeed in school and social settings.

Behavioural Disorders

Behavioural disorders involve persistent disruptive behaviours that go beyond typical childhood testing of boundaries. Frequent temper outbursts, aggression or hostility, defiance toward authority, difficulty managing anger, etc., are examples of such behaviours. As a parent, you need to find the underlying emotional distress.

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. Autistic children may experience associated mental health challenges such as anxiety or sensory overwhelm. Signs may include repetitive behaviour, sensory sensitivities, strong routine preferences and challenges in social settings. Early understanding and inclusive support environments can be beneficial.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders may begin in late childhood. They may involve PICA (eating mud and chalk), restrictive eating, intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image and binge eating or purging behaviours. These conditions tend to carry both physical and psychological risks and require timely professional care.

Trauma- and Stress-Related Disorders

Exposure to traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect, loss, violence or disasters can significantly impact a child’s emotional well-being. Children experiencing such disorders may show signs of emotional withdrawal, regression and hypervigilance. They may also experience nightmares and might find trusting others difficult. In such cases, children need trauma-informed support to help them feel safe.

Early Warning Signs Parents and Caregivers Should Notice

Children tend to communicate emotional distress through their behaviour rather than words. Hence, parents and caregivers must be able to recognise early warning signs so that timely help can be provided. Check for:

• Sudden changes in mood or behaviour
• Withdrawal from friends and activities
• Changes in sleep patterns and appetite
• Decline in academic performance
• Increased anxiety
• Self-harming behaviour

How Families and Schools Can Support Children’s Mental Well-Being

Surroundings where children spend more time, i.e., family and school, play an important role in shaping how children develop. Here’s how families and schools can help children build confidence:

Create Safe and Open Communication Spaces

Encourage children to share their thoughts and feelings openly. Listen without judgment and reassure them that their emotions are valid and important.

Foster a Sense of Belonging

Help children feel accepted and included in both home and school settings. Positive relationships and inclusive environments strengthen emotional security.

Build Healthy Routines

Consistent routines around sleep, meals, study and play can create stability. Structure can help children feel safe and reduce anxiety.

Teach Emotional Literacy

Support children in recognising and expressing their emotions. Teaching simple coping tools may help them manage feelings more effectively.

Encourage Positive Coping Strategies

You ought to guide children toward healthy stress outlets such as creative activities, physical exercise or talking to someone they trust.

Work Together

Regular communication between parents and educators can help children receive consistent emotional and behavioural support.

Promote Digital Well-Being

Make sure you set healthy screen-time boundaries and talk about online safety with your children. Balanced digital habits may support emotional health.

Recognise When Professional Help is Needed

Do not hesitate to seek support from counsellors or mental health professionals if concerns persist. Early intervention may improve outcomes.

If you notice such warning signs, consult a child counsellor today.

Activities for Children’s Mental Health Week

To bring the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 theme to life, schools and communities can take part in a range of meaningful activities designed to help children explore belonging, inclusion and emotional connection.

“This Is My Place” Art Activity

This creative exercise invites children to illustrate or design the place where they feel safest and most valued.

Welcome Circle

In this guided group activity, younger children sit in a circle and practice noticing, naming, and inviting one another into conversations. It helps build inclusion, social confidence, and early empathy skills.

Belonging Mosaic

Children can work individually or in small groups to create pieces of a larger class mosaic. The final artwork symbolizes how each child’s identity and contribution form a supportive community.

Fundraising Makes a Difference

Fundraising initiatives allow schools to support children’s mental health services while teaching pupils the value of compassion and collective action.

Final Note

Children’s mental health shapes their confidence, relationships, learning, and overall well-being. With early support, open conversations, and nurturing environments at home and school, children are better equipped to thrive. This Children’s Mental Health Week, make your children feel safe, valued and connected and help them grow into resilient and confident individuals.

FAQs

What is Children’s Mental Health Week and why is it important?

Children’s Mental Health Week is an annual awareness campaign led by Place2Be that highlights the importance of emotional wellbeing in children and young people.

When is Children’s Mental Health Week observed?

It is observed every year in February. In 2026, it takes place from February 9th to 15th.

What activities are done during Children’s Mental Health Week?

Schools and communities organize activities focused on belonging and emotional expression.

How can parents support children’s mental health this week?

Parents can talk openly about feelings, spend quality time together, encourage creative expression and reinforce a sense of belonging at home.

What themes are used for Children’s Mental Health Week each year?

Each year features a dedicated theme. The 2026 theme is “This Is My Place” to bolster the sense of belonging.