Watch the virtual Picture News here Children’s Mental Health Week is a significant event in the school calendar, and in 2025, it will take place from the 3rd to the 9th of February. The week was first launched ten years ago by the children’s mental health charity, Place2Be, and aims to raise awareness and promote positive mental health in young people across the country. This Year’s Theme: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself The theme for Children’s Mental Health Week 2025 is ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’. The focus is on how learning about our world can help us to better understand ourselves—our feelings, interests, and the things that excite us. By gaining new insights, children can begin to recognise the factors that contribute positively or negatively to their mental health. Understanding Mental Health Mental health is something that everyone has. It shapes how we think, feel, and act, and it also plays a key role in how we cope with challenges and realise our goals. Supporting good mental health is just as vital as looking after our physical health. Ways to Look After Your Mental Health There are several effective ways for children to care for their mental health: Get enough sleep Eat a healthy diet Keep active Spend time with friends, family, and people you trust Develop new skills and set realistic challenges Relax and spend time on hobbies Recognise and talk about your feelings Reflecting on Our Feelings It’s important for children to reflect on questions that help them understand themselves: What makes you happy? What makes you sad? What do you enjoy doing? What do you care about? What frustrates or angers you? Is there anything new you would like to try? Learning About the World: Stories from Niamh and Tyrell Reading about world events can have a positive and lasting impact on young people. For example, Niamh learned about the Comets Disability Football club through a news article and decided to join a club near her. This helped her make new friends and brought her happiness through football. Similarly, Tyrell became passionate about taking action after reading about climate change. He is now raising awareness in his local area and is determined to make a difference. These personal stories illustrate how learning about the world can be a pathway to self-discovery and growth, as well as positively supporting mental health. Discussion Points for the Classroom Teachers can use these stories and resources to encourage discussion among students, asking questions such as: Have you ever learned something about yourself from the news? Has a news story inspired you to try something new or get involved in your community? How can expressing your feelings help with your mental health? What do you do to relax or deal with feelings of being overwhelmed? Encouraging Positive Mental Health at School Assemblies and classroom discussions during Children’s Mental Health Week create opportunities to talk about emotions, try new activities, and share stories. Recognising and understanding our emotions is key for a healthy mind, and knowing who to talk to when feeling overwhelmed is essential. Get Involved and Continue the Conversation Children’s Mental Health Week is an opportunity for schools to make mental wellbeing a priority. Through reflection, open discussion, and supportive activities, every child can learn the importance of knowing themselves to help them grow. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training Watch the virtual Picture News here
