9th February 2025

Express Yourself: Celebrating children’s mental health week

50% of children develop a mental illness by the age of 14.

And this current generation require support like never before.

This week has been children’s mental health week with the theme of know yourself, grow yourself developed by the excellent children’s charity Place 2Be.

But sometimes a child might not be in a position of growth. Here are 8 tips to help if a child is struggling.

Hope today is a good mental health day.

8 tips to help a struggling child

If you notice your child is becoming withdrawn, that there’s been a change in sleeping or eating habits, if they seem to lack confidence or get upset, it might be a sign they’re struggling.

If you spot sign your child might be struggling, it’s important to talk to them. Keep talking and trying to communicate in any way you can – hugging listening to them, texting them.

Try introducing a rota or loose timetable that includes fun things you’re doing during the week. This can help to create a feeling of stability, which can alleviate anxiety.

Look online with your children to find useful information and resources that help children feel they have control

Using fun and creative ways at home to learn alongside continued access to educational opportunities will support your children’s development.

As most socialising moves online, it’s important to have conversations on how an increase in screen time can have an impact on everyone’s mental health and self-esteem.

If you spot signs your child might be struggling, it’s important to talk to them. Keep talking and trying to communicate in any way you can – hugging, listening to them, texting them, etc

Children might find it easier writing their thoughts down, so the whole family could do this and put them in a feelings box’ and then talk about their good, sad or difficult feelings at the end of the day