03 February 2020
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Children's mental health charity, Place2Be launched the first ever Children’s Mental Health Week in 2015 to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. This year’s theme is ‘Find your Brave’ – highlighting that bravery isn’t about coping alone or holding things in, it can be about sharing worries and asking for help, trying something new or pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.
For the last 25 years, Place2Be has been working in schools to improve the emotional well-being of children and young people, believing no child should have to face mental health problems alone.
As the UK's leading provider of school-based children's mental health services, Place2Be aims to support children early on to equip them with the skills to cope with life's challenges, enabling them to focus on their schoolwork and realise their full potential.
Support from players of People's Postcode Lottery is helping the charity to develop and grow its services so that more children and young people have access to vital mental health support in the safe space of their school. This year marks £1 million of support from players, which has been transformational in enabling it to meet the growing need for services.
In the past year, the charity has worked with over 600 schools across the UK to provide support and training for tens of thousands of children, parents and teachers.
A Place2Be service user, said: "Place2Be is a very supportive and reassuring place for people who have serious issues to find their voice. It helps them grow stronger."
Catherine Roche, chief executive of Place2Be, added: "This week, schools across the UK are helping pupils understand what it means to be brave. Life often throws challenges our way, and it’s important that children of all ages know it’s not a weakness to speak up or ask for help.
"Around three children in every class have a mental health problem, so it’s vital that we reach as many people as possible with this important message."