Children's Mental Health Week 2026

Next week is Children's Mental Health Week!  Place2Be's theme this year is ‘This is My Place’ 

Place2Be say:

We know that our sense of belonging as individuals, in our friendships, in school, and in communities plays a vital role in our mental health and wellbeing.

To know our place and really feel part of our environment is a basic human need. It can have powerful and long-lasting impacts in lots of areas of our lives, including our physical and mental health, education, employment and relationships. When we feel that we belong, it empowers us to contribute to the world and make a real difference. 

This year, Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week will aim to support the groups and systems surrounding our children. We'll encourage peers, families, schools and communities to create inclusive and nurturing environments, where children and young people feel they belong and can say "This is My Place".

A few ideas from Place2Be:

• Be your true self. Belonging comes from being accepted for who you are. 

• Do the things you love these are great ways to connect each other. 

• Be kind to yourself when you make a mistake; you don’t need to be perfect. 

• Listen to your feelings and try to think about what you need.

• Talk to someone you trust, you are not alone.

Resources and activities for Children's Mental Health Week

If you’re a child or young person in South Tyneside and need mental health support:

Healthy Minds Team - to access this service please speak to your Mental Health Lead in school. They can guide you to the right support and make a referral if needed.

Lifecycle -  Children and Young People's Mental Health Service - can be accessed via school, GP or a self referral.

You can also access support here:

• Crisis Number - 111 and select option 2 
  • If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, dial 111 and select option 2. You can use this number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

  • This does not replace an ’emergency’ service such as a 999 response. 

• Mental Health Crisis Text Service - 'CALMER' to 85258
  • A new free, confidential mental health crisis text service is now available across the North East and North Cumbria. Anyone feeling anxious, stressed, isolated or struggling can text 'CALMER' to 85258 for 24/7 support from trained mental health professionals via Shout.