The annual event, created by the charity Place2B, takes place from Monday 6 February to Sunday 12 February, and shines a spotlight on children and young people’s mental health.
The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Let’s Connect’ and the importance of making meaningful connections with others.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “When young people have healthy connections to family, friends and others, it can enhance their sense of wellbeing, provide social support and encourage them to engage in healthy behaviours.
“Conversely, when their need for rewarding social connections is not met, it can sometimes leave them feeling isolated and lonely – which can have a negative impact on their mental health.
“Let's Connect is about making meaningful connections for all, during Children's Mental Health Week and beyond, and we’d encourage everyone to get involved.”
In preparation for Children’s Mental Health Week, colleagues from the council’s Public Health Team and School Nursing Team have been working with the young Health Champions from Uplands Primary School and Heath Park School. They have been touring the city to identify low cost and free activities that children and young people can access to improve their mental health and wellbeing and connect with others, including places like West Park and Molineux Stadium. They will be creating an interactive map highlighting these places.
They have also been working with the council’s Educational Psychology Team to develop free resources for primary and secondary aged children to use throughout the week.
During Children’s Mental Health Week itself there are a number of events taking place in the city. University of Wolverhampton students are hosting a range of activities, including a wellbeing café drop-in session on Wednesday (8 February).
On Friday 10 February, the Health Champions from Heath Park School are encouraging children, young people and adults – at their school and elsewhere – to ‘Dress to Express’ and either wear a unique outfit or something in their favourite colour, or wear one of the following colours to express how they are feeling: orange/yellow (connected/loved), red (angry), green (chilled), blue (happy), purple (tired), black (kind/relaxed), pink (lonely), grey (sad) or white (calm).
Finally, on Saturday 11 February the Public Health Team and Schools Nursing Team will be hosting a wellbeing stand at the Community Hub in the Mander Centre from noon to 3pm where they will be providing young people and parents with advice about the various support services that are available to help enhance their wellbeing.
Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added: “The mental health of children and young people is a priority for the council, so we are delighted to be supporting Children’s Mental Health Week once again this year.
“The campaign is a great way to put the mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people in local and national focus – and encourage everybody to take care of their mental health and wellbeing in a creative and fun way.”
To find out more about the campaign and to find a full collection of activities and resources, please visit Children’s Mental Health Week.
