Onebright Looks At Children's Mental Health Week 2024
Children’s Mental Health Week UK is an awareness campaign that has been running since 2015 and was originally started to build awareness of children’s and young people’s mental health challenges. Onebright looks at the theme for this year, ‘My Voice Matters’, and why it is particularly pertinent right now to bring attention to this year’s theme.
Children’s Mental Health Week has evolved into a transformative initiative, and this year, the theme focuses on ‘My Voice Matters.’ The aim is to amplify the voices of young individuals, ensuring that their thoughts, feelings, and experiences are heard and valued.
This year felt even more emotive and stands as a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of mental well-being in children and young people.
Prioritising children’s mental health post-pandemic
‘My Voice Matters’ is a relevant topic because it addresses the need to find out from children and young people where the challenges are, without guessing.
According to an NHS post-pandemic study, the prevalence of mental health issues in children and young people in the UK has significantly increased. It is thought that 1.5 million children will need new or additional mental health support as a result of the pandemic.
These statistics highlight an urgent need for timely access to evidence-based interventions to address the mental health challenges faced by children and young people.
Empowering children and young people can positively impact their mental health. “I have a significant voice” is a poignant theme for this year’s campaign and one that will offer hope and initiate positive conversations around this important issue.
How can parents help their children and young people cope with anxiety?
First, it’s crucial to establish a safe and open environment where they can share their feelings. Show them that recognizing anxiety as a natural response to fears and worries indicates it will subside. Encourage open discussions about their fears and worries. In doing this, you validate their emotions and demonstrate your understanding and availability as a dependable source of comfort and support. Assist them in developing healthy sleep routines and eating habits. Moreover, motivate them to:
- Practice mindful deep breathing or relaxation to calm the body and mind
- Engage in soothing activities like drawing, listening to music, etc
- Get involved in physical activity and connect with others
Sometimes, children and young people may need professional help if the problem has been going on for a long time and has a significant impact on one or more areas of their lives.
Onebright is a leading advocate for children’s mental health and is committed to providing timely Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is an evidence-based talking therapy effective for the treatment of depression and anxiety. CBT helps to identify the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviours that keep the problem going. It focuses on exploring and challenging unhelpful thinking to find a more balanced and less threatening perspective and behaviours. This helps the child develop helpful coping strategies and build resilience.
Onebright stands firmly committed to advocating for accessible and effective mental health support for children and young people, ensuring that every child’s voice matters. To learn more about CBT and its benefits, visit Onebright’s website today.
