📅 Date: 3rd – 9th February 2025
📍 Theme: My Voice Matters
At Mental Health Matters Wales, we are proud to support Children’s Mental Health Week 2025, a crucial awareness campaign that highlights the importance of young people’s emotional well-being. Running from 3rd to 9th February, this year’s theme, "My Voice Matters," encourages children and young people to express their feelings, share their perspectives, and advocate for their own mental health.
Why Does This Matter?
Children’s mental health is just as important as physical health, and ensuring that young people feel heard can have a lasting impact on their well-being. According to Place2Be, who founded Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015, 1 in 6 children aged 5-16 experience mental health difficulties. By empowering children to talk about their emotions and experiences, we help build their confidence and resilience.
How Can We Support Young People?
Encourage Open Conversations
Creating safe spaces for young people to talk about their emotions without judgment is essential. Active listening and validation can make a huge difference.
Promote Emotional Expression
Whether through art, music, writing, or physical activity, self-expression allows children to process their feelings in a way that works best for them.
Teach Self-Advocacy
Helping young people understand their rights and how to access support enables them to take charge of their well-being. Schools, parents, and communities all play a role in amplifying their voices.
Access Support Services
If a child is struggling, signposting them to the right services is key. At MHM Wales, we provide mental health resources, advocacy, and peer support to ensure no young person feels alone.
Youth Mental Health Organisations in Wales and the UK
In addition to our services, several organisations offer valuable support for young people's mental health:
Wales:
Youth Cymru is a prominent youth work charity operating throughout Wales, dedicated to bringing about positive change for young people through grassroots initiatives and strategic influence. They collaborate with members and other youth-focused organisations to provide unique, innovative, and life-changing opportunities, projects, and programs, enhancing the lives of young people in Wales. Their support includes access to additional resources, offering more choices and chances for learning, development, and growth.
Provides specialised mental health support for children and adolescents in the Bridgend area. Access to their services typically requires a referral from a General Practitioner (GP) or Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. For those already known to the service, self-referral options are available as outlined in individual care plans. In emergencies, individuals are advised to call 999 or contact the Samaritans at 123.
As part of the Wales Alliance for Mental Health, MHM Wales collaborates with national mental health and suicide prevention charities to ensure compassionate support and accessible services for those experiencing mental ill health in Wales.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board's Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health services offer specialised support to individuals under 18 in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Their comprehensive services include assessment teams, community intensive therapy, crisis intervention, eating disorder support.
Developed by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in partnership with Platfform, The Hangout is a mental health and emotional well-being support hub for young people aged 11-18, offering various activities and support services.
UK-Wide:
A leading charity dedicated to the mental health of children and young people, offering resources, support, and advocacy to ensure they can access the help they need.
A digital charity providing free, confidential support for under-25s, including a helpline, online chat, and counseling services, addressing a wide range of issues from mental health to relationships.
A charity that supports positive mental health in teenagers through mental health information, apps, and education, and is the founder of Youth Mental Health Day.
A youth mental health charity tackling the growing mental health crisis by improving access to support and creating opportunities for early and personalized interventions.
Further Information
A great source for child-friendly explanations on mental health topics: BBC Newsround
This Children’s Mental Health Week, by working together we can champion young voices, encourage open conversations, and ensure that every child knows: #TheirVoiceMatters.
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