Children's Mental Health Week

The official theme for Children's Mental Health Week 2026 is 'This is My Place'

We know that our sense of belonging as individuals, in our friendships, in school, and in communities plays a vital role in our mental health and wellbeing.

To know our place and really feel part of our environment is a basic human need. It can have powerful and long-lasting impacts in lots of areas of our lives, including our physical and mental health, education, employment and relationships. When we feel that we belong, it empowers us to contribute to the world and make a real difference. 

In school this week, our pupils and staff will be proudly taking part in Children’s Mental Health Week, an annual nationwide event dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of young people. This year’s official theme, announced by Place2Be, is “This Is My Place.”

About the 2026 Theme: “This Is My Place”

The theme focuses on the powerful role that belonging plays in a child’s mental health. A sense of belonging helps children feel safe, valued and connected in the environments where they learn and grow—at home, in school, and in their community. 

When children and young people know they have a place where they are accepted for who they are, it boosts their confidence, supports healthy relationships, and strengthens their emotional wellbeing. Feeling that we “belong” empowers us to learn, take on new challenges, and positively contribute to the world around us. 

Our School: A Community Where Everyone Belongs

In our school, the sense of community is at the heart of everything we do. Every pupil, every member of staff, and every family is part of our wider school family—a place where:

• We support one another through challenges
• We celebrate each other’s strengths
• We value the uniqueness that every person brings
• We work together to create a safe, inclusive environment

Belonging isn’t just something pupils need—it is essential for staff too. As adults in the school community, we also thrive when we feel connected, supported, and recognised. This shared sense of belonging strengthens our relationships and makes our school not just a place of learning, but a place of growth, care and connection for all.

This week gives us the chance to highlight how important our school environment is in shaping wellbeing. As resources emphasise, school communities play a vital role in helping children feel accepted, connected and ready to learn.

Whole School Activity: “This Is Our Place” Community Art Installation

To celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week, we will be taking part in a whole school creative activity inspired by this year’s theme:

 “This Is Our Place” Belonging Wall

Every pupil and staff member will create a small piece of artwork responding to the prompt:
“Where do you feel you belong?”

This could be:

• a drawing of a favourite spot in school,
• a symbol that represents a friendship,
• a word describing how belonging feels,
• or a colourful pattern showing their unique identity.

All pieces will be combined into a large collaborative display in a central area of the school—showing that while each of us has our own place, together we create a community where everyone belongs.

Looking Ahead

We hope this week enables children to reflect on what belonging means to them and helps us continue to build a nurturing, inclusive community where every person—pupil or adult—can confidently say:

“This is my place.”