Last week marked Children’s Mental Health Week, led nationally by Place2Be. Across the UK, organisations paused to reflect on the emotional wellbeing of children and young people. However, for those of us working in family support, supervised contact, supported living and community care, this conversation cannot be limited to one week. Children’s mental health is part of our everyday practice.
The national picture remains concerning. NHS data shows that around 1 in 5 children and young people aged 8–25 in England have a probable mental health disorder. Anxiety, low mood and emotional distress are increasingly common. Alongside this, there are estimated to be over 800,000 young carers in the UK, many of whom remain hidden. These are children providing emotional or practical care to a parent or family member due to illness, disability, mental health conditions or substance misuse.
Behind every statistic is a child navigating feelings they may not yet understand.
For many children connected to care services, childhood can feel heavy. Some are adjusting to parental separation and supervised contact arrangements. Others live alongside disability or complex medical needs. Some quietly shoulder adult responsibilities at a very young age. They may appear resilient, but resilience does not mean they are unaffected.
Children often communicate emotional distress through behaviour. A withdrawn child may be anxious. A child who presents as angry may feel overwhelmed. A child who seems overly mature may simply be carrying too much responsibility.
Young carers are particularly vulnerable. Many describe their role as “just helping,” yet the emotional burden of worry and responsibility can significantly impact their wellbeing. Without support, these pressures can shape confidence, relationships and long-term mental health.
Research consistently shows that early intervention makes a measurable difference. When children feel heard and supported, outcomes improve significantly. In our settings, we are in a position to provide protective factors that strengthen emotional resilience.
The most important actions we can take are often simple but powerful:
- Listening without judgement
- Validating children’s emotions rather than dismissing them
- Creating safe, predictable and child-friendly environments
- Noticing behavioural changes early
- Recognising and supporting young carers
- Working collaboratively with families and professionals
Children’s mental health must never be minimised as “a phase.” Emotional wellbeing in childhood is foundational. If distress is ignored early, it often resurfaces later in more complex ways.
Children’s Mental Health Week is a reminder — but our commitment must extend throughout the year. Protecting childhood means recognising vulnerability and acting early. It means ensuring that no child’s emotional wellbeing is overlooked simply because they appear to be coping.
💙 Where to Get Help
If you are concerned about a child’s emotional wellbeing, or if a child or young person needs someone to talk to, support is available. The following organisations provide trusted advice, guidance and direct support across the UK:
🧠 Place2Be – Provides school-based counselling, family support and practical mental health resources for children and parents.
- Website: https://www.place2be.org.uk
💬 YoungMinds – Offers advice and resources for young people and parents.
- Website: https://www.youngminds.org.uk
- Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544
☎️ Childline – Free confidential support for children and young people up to age 19.
- Website: https://www.childline.org.uk
- Call: 0800 1111 (24 hours, free)
🛡 NSPCC – Advice and support if you’re worried about a child’s safety or wellbeing.
- Website: https://www.nspcc.org.uk
- Helpline: 0808 800 5000
🏥 NHS – Children & Young People’s Mental Health – Information about accessing local CAMHS services and mental health support.
👨👩👧 The Children’s Society – Support for vulnerable children, including young carers.
- Website: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk
If a child is in immediate danger, always call 999.
No child should struggle alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and early help can make a lasting difference.
When we take children’s mental health seriously today, we are investing in healthier adults tomorrow. 💙
Written by Jojo Chi
