Dr Rosie: Children’s Mental Health Week 2026

This is my place

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 is here, and this year’s theme, This is my place, is all about helping children feel that they truly belong – at home, at school and in their community. When children feel safe, included and valued, it can make a real difference to their confidence, friendships and overall mental wellbeing.

What This is my place means

This is my place invites us to think about all the spaces where children spend their time – classrooms, clubs, online spaces, parks and family homes. When these places are kind, welcoming and supportive, children are more likely to talk about their feelings and ask for help when they need it.

Dr Rosie reminds us that every child deserves to feel that they belong just as they are, without having to pretend or “fit in”. A friendly smile, a listening ear, and small acts of kindness can turn everyday spaces into somewhere a child can proudly say, “This is my place”.

Why children’s mental health matters
Around one in six children and young people live with a diagnosable mental health difficulty, and many more face challenges such as anxiety, bullying, family changes or bereavement. Getting the right support early can prevent problems from becoming bigger and affecting school, friendships and family life.

Dr Rosie encourages parents and carers to treat mental health like physical health – something we look after every day, not only when things go wrong. A simple daily check‑in (“How are you feeling today?”) can open the door to important conversations and help children feel heard and understood.

Local ways to find support

If you are worried about a child’s mental health, it is always okay to reach out for help. You can start by speaking to your GP, your child’s school or nursery, or a school nurse or counsellor, who can advise on next steps and local services.

There are also national helplines and online services that children, teenagers and families can use any time, including:

• Childline – free, confidential support for children and young people on 0800 1111 or via 1‑to‑1 chat online.
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• YoungMinds – information, advice and a free 24/7 crisis text service (text YM to 85258).
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• The Mix – support for under‑25s via webchat, phone and online resources.
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Dr Rosie also highlights local community groups, youth clubs and parenting courses, which can provide safe spaces to talk, share experiences and build stronger support networks. These everyday community connections are often just as important as specialist services in helping children feel they belong.

About Children’s Mental Health Week and Place2Be

Children’s Mental Health Week was launched in 2015 by Place2Be, a UK children’s mental health charity that has been providing counselling, mental health support and training in schools since 1994. The week takes place every February and aims to empower, equip and give a voice to all children and young people across the UK.

Place2Be believes that no child should have to face mental health problems alone, and this year’s theme, “This is my place”, focuses on helping the adults and systems around children – families, schools and communities – to create nurturing environments where every child feels they belong.

How families can get involved this week

There are lots of simple ways to take part in Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week at home:

• Talk about “special places”: Ask your child where they feel most safe and happy, and what makes that place feel like “theirs”.
• Create a “This is my place” corner: Set up a cosy reading or calm corner at home with cushions, books or drawings where your child can relax and unwind.
• Share one kind thing: Encourage everyone in the family to do one kind thing each day for someone else – a note, a hug, or a helping hand.
• Stay curious, not critical: If your child is upset, try asking gentle questions and listening fully, rather than rushing to fix the problem straight away.

Dr Rosie’s key message this week is that you don’t need to be an expert to support a child’s mental health – you just need to be present, patient and willing to listen. Together, by making our homes, schools and communities places of real belonging, we can help every child feel able to say with confidence:  This is my place.