Northamptonshire students set to take part in Children’s Mental Health Week

As another Children’s Mental Health Week starts (5-11 February) pupils in schools across Northamptonshire will again be taking part in activities to get them talking about mental health.

Embracing this year’s theme: ‘My voice matters’, the Healthy Schools team in West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire have come together with local children and young people to create a resource pack which has been sent out to schools.

It’s full of activities to give pupils the tools they need to express their feelings and provides them with helpful, healthy coping strategies.

The resource pack is the perfect tool for schools to use and includes ideas such as ‘My voice matters’ walls, affirmation writing, scream time, journaling, fidget toys and active listening. All are positive ways, recommended by young people, to help other youngsters share their thoughts and feelings on mental health.

Pupils at Key Stage 2 and above will also each get a ‘Comfort Card’. These are handy bank card sized cards which can be kept by students in a wallet, purse or mobile phone case. The cards signpost to key services and apps which offer further support and guidance if they should need it.

Throughout the week, Reach Collaborative – which includes organisations such as Service Six, Youth Works (North), Lowdown (West) and the Mental Health Support in Schools team – will be visiting a number of secondary schools to deliver assemblies on mental health. They will also be holding awareness sessions for students and signposting them to mental wellbeing resources.

There is lots happening in Northamptonshire to mark this week and raise awareness of children’s mental health. To support our young people to feel empowered to talk about their mental health is really important both for their own wellbeing as well as to help encourage others and I hope the activities mentioned above really help to achieve this.

I would like to share my thanks to all the young people from the Talk Out Loud group who have been brilliant in helping to share their thoughts, ideas and suggestions in the development of the resource pack – it is a great tool for schools, as well as parents, carers and colleagues working with children and young people.Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills at West Northamptonshire Council

I think ‘My voice matters’ is a great theme for this year. Our young residents’ voices really do matter; they are an important part of our communities and the future of them.

Our youngsters have been through challenging times in the last few years which makes celebrating Children’s Mental Health Week especially important. We know that living through a global pandemic has impacted on young people’s mental health. That’s why these resources, created with, and for young people, are so key in building their wellbeing and resilience.

I am glad this week gives us an opportunity to give our youngsters the support and tools they need, hopefully, not just for this week, but also to carry with them and use in the future if the need arises.Cllr Gill Mercer, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing

There is a lot of support available via apps, text services, community organisations and health services for children, young people and families who are looking for support for either themselves, a friend, or for their child or relative.

These include:

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS Connect): Open 9am to 7pm – 0300 1111 022.
• Text your school nurse: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm – 07507 329600.
• Text SHOUT to 85258. Available 24 hours.
• Speak to Childline on 0800 1111. Available 24 hours.
• Speak to the Samaritans on 116 123. Available 24 hours.
• Use apps such as Calm Harm, Clear Fear, Move Mood or Teens.

For more helpful resources please visit the CAMHS Resources website.