12/02/2026
The theme for this year’s Children’s Mental Health Awareness week is ‘This is My Place’.
To know our place and really feel part of our environment is a basic human need. When we feel that we belong, it empowers us to contribute to the world and make a real difference. Having that sense of ‘belonging’ can bring powerful and long-lasting impacts in lots of areas of our lives, including our physical and mental health, education, employment and relationships.
Having good support systems surrounding our children helps to create inclusive and nurturing environments, where children and young people feel they belong and can say "This is My Place".
Top tips from children and young people on how to help them feel a sense of belonging:
* Parents, carers or community groups can help belonging by asking questions about things they see us becoming passionate about.
* By checking in with you, providing support and making you feel safe and important.
* By being there and being happy
* By doing things that make you feel happy and safe
* Letting us choose our likes and interests and letting us explore new things.
* Parents taking time to listen and speak to us, reassure us.
* Making a comfortable, welcoming place for us.
Download the Place2Be activity pack which encourages children to explore their sense of belonging by creating a personal map, which can include places, groups, or activities or something not physical where they feel they belong - https://tinyurl.com/2emx37s6
