Children's Mental Health Week

This week is Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week, and the theme this year is ‘This is My Place’— shining a light on the importance of a sense of belonging in ourselves and in our friendships, families, schools and communities, and the vital role this plays in mental health and wellbeing.

How children and young people feel

The Promise Story of Progress reflects the importance of belonging and support in upholding the wellbeing of care experienced children and young people.

Under Vision Statement Six within the Story of Progress, those with experience of care have said that mental health support is shaped by relationships, access to timely help, and the wider pressures they face in daily life. When they get the right support, young people describe feeling listened to and encouraged by trusted adults. But when they don’t have those trusted relationships or support, they can feel stuck, unseen, or judged.

Educational settings are vital for getting this right. Children and young people describe school as a significant part of their mental health experience.

Feeling misunderstood, doubted or judged in educational settings affects wellbeing, confidence and engagement, particularly when school staff are unaware of pressures at home or changes in family life.

Children and young people feel supported when:

• People listen, understand what’s behind their feelings, and help them feel calm and safe again.
• They have a safe space with an adult who isn’t making decisions about their life, so they can talk openly.
• They can trust adults because they take time to really get to know me.

What is helping with the wellbeing of children who experience care?

The data from organisations within The Promise Story of Progress show how organisations are making improvements in the ways they approach mental health and belonging. They've done this through collaborative approaches bringing together mental health, education, social care and community support, so that help can be offered earlier and in ways that fit better with children and young people’s lives.

Are there changes in mental health support across Scotland?

Nationally, indicators in The Promise Story of Progress show the 18-week CAMHS standard – which states that 90% of children and young people should start treatment within 18 weeks of referral to CAMHS – was met for the first time in the latest year, following consistent improvements in performance since September 2023.

It essential that Scotland continues to build on this work to better support children and young people. Plan 24-30 sets out outcomes in this area and actions to build better support, so that by 2030:

All children, young people, families, and care experienced adults have equal, stigma-free access to physical, mental, dental, and sexual health support through caring, nurturing relationships.

Scotland delivers timely, trauma-informed mental health support that does not require diagnosis, avoids crisis and hospitalisation, and ensures sufficient inpatient capacity where needed.

The promise is clear that all children should grow up loved, safe, and respected, and supporting belonging and positive mental health are key parts of achieving this.

Children’s Mental Health Week

Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 aims to support the groups and systems surrounding Scotland’s children. It is encouraging 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".

Place2Be has created resources for schools, families and communities. which you can access here.