Child Mental Health is key for the development of our societies for the future. This week in February is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme this year is “Growing Together”. It is aimed at encouraging us to consider how we have grown and also encourage others to grow.

Mental health and wellbeing are as essential as physical health to the positive life chances of children. Schools and colleges have activities promoting child mental health awareness. Pupils in my child’s school can come to come to classes this Thursday dressed in their own style.

Emotional growth is often a gradual process that happens over time. Challenges often provide opportunities to grow and adapt as we try new things
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Studies

The vast majority of staff working in UK schools (95%) have witnessed increased levels of pupil anxiety since the start of the school year, according to new research published by Place2Be and NAHT.

Emotional growth is often a gradual process that happens over time. Challenges often provide opportunities to grow and adapt as we try new things.

Bullying

One in six children and young people have a diagnosable mental health problem, and many more struggle with challenges from bullying to bereavement, according to Place2Be. School is the place where most bullying of children takes place. My child’s school regularly raise the consciousness of their pupils against bullying. I have many times heard songs about it.

Self-esteem

Our young ones also face issues with self-esteem. My child’s school actively addresses feelings of inadequacy. The Head Teacher enforces uniformity where possible. This reduces the feelings of inadequacy in children from less well-off homes. I often hear from my child and her friends “Sharing is caring”.

Primary education has certainly moved on from our times in it with more focus on the social than academic aspects in the early years. This is sure to bring greater mental health dividend.

Lockdown Effect

Where child mental health is tackled from inception in the education system, society benefits. The pandemic strained the delivery of our young ones’ education. Greater spotlight has come on education as a result. Home Schooling earlier on in the pandemic brought its benefits. Parents got more involved in the education of their children. I personally learnt to appreciate the work of the teachers to a greater extent. I had more contacts with the teachers as well.

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