
Children’s Health Scotland is proud to support Children’s Mental Health Week, which takes from 7 – 13 February 2022 and is organised by Place2Be.
1 in 6 children and young people have a diagnosable mental health condition and around five children in every classroom have a mental health problem. Many more children and young people struggle with challenges from bullying to bereavement. 50% of those with lifetime mental health problems first experience symptoms by the age of 14. This #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek is shining a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health and that no child or young person should have to face mental health problems on their own.
Gill Sutherland, our Head of Children’s Health and Wellbeing Services, has said “We know that many children and young people are experiencing higher levels of anxiety due to the pandemic. It is essential that we draw attention to children’s mental health so that the support and help that each child needs can be provided. Children’s Health Scotland provides Self-Management Services for children and young people who have health conditions and are experiencing difficulties, including mental health. Our SMS:CONNECT is an award-winning online self-management programme for children and young people aged 9-17, which means that the mental health and wellbeing services we provide to children and young people are offered on a national level throughout Scotland.”
Place2be have teamed up with BAFTA Kids to create two virtual assemblies for Children’s Mental Health Week 2022, supported by Oak National Academy. They will be creating two assemblies, one for primary schools and one for secondary schools – to help children and young people across the UK take part in the week and explore the theme of ‘Growing Together’. The assemblies will be star stuffed events, featuring Emma Willis, Kit Young, Kia Pegg, Lindsey Russell and Oti Mabuse.
Place2Be have many resources available for Children’s Mental Health Week, suitable for schools and youth groups. Their free resources which help children and young people to explore what it means to grow together can be found here.
Children’s Health Scotland provides award winning self-management services in Scotland for children and young people with health conditions. Self-Management means improving the relationship that children and young people have with their health and wellbeing whilst building their confidence and self-esteem. We support children and young people to access information and develop skills to better cope with their health condition and meet other young people living with health conditions. Self-Management does not focus on managing a specific health condition but empowers young people to manage their own health and wellbeing. If you would like to find out more about SMS: Face to Face, SMS: CONNECT and register your interest, you can do so on our website.