Children’s Mental Health Week 2025: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself

Children’s Mental Health Week is here, and this year’s theme — Know Yourself, Grow Yourself — couldn’t be more important. This week was established in 2015 to address the growing need for awareness and support regarding children's mental health issues. The initiative recognises that early intervention and a supportive environment can have a significant impact on a child's mental well-being. Over the years, it has grown into a nationwide campaign that encourages everyone to prioritise children's mental health.

Mental health is something we all have, just like physical health, and learning to take care of it early on can make a huge difference in the long run. But self-awareness isn’t just about recognizing when you’re struggling; it’s about truly understanding yourself — your emotions, strengths, challenges, and what helps you feel your best. When we take the time to get to know ourselves, we can grow in ways we never thought possible.

Why Starting Young Makes a Difference

Understanding and managing emotions isn’t just something we’re born with, it’s a skill — just like riding a bike or learning to read. The earlier we start practicing, the more natural it becomes. Recognising feelings, knowing how to express them, and finding healthy ways to cope are all part of emotional regulation. These skills don’t just help during childhood; they build the foundation for confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being throughout life. But here’s the thing — there’s no “wrong” time to start. Whether you're 7, 17, or even 70, learning more about yourself and how to support your mental health is always valuable.

It’s the Small Daily Habits That Make a Big Difference

Mental health isn’t just about big changes — it’s often the little things that add up. Simple habits like getting enough sleep, spending time outside, engaging in creative activities, or talking to a trusted adult about feelings can have a huge impact. Even things like mindfulness, deep breathing, or writing in a journal can help children build self-awareness and emotional regulation skills. By making these small practices part of your daily routine, you can create a strong foundation for long-term mental well-being.

Seeking Support is a Strength, Not a Weakness

One of the biggest barriers to mental health support is the stigma surrounding it. But needing help doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you — it just means you’re human. If you broke your arm, you wouldn’t hesitate to get a cast to help it heal. Mental health is no different. Therapy, medication, or even just opening up to someone you trust can be vital tools in helping you feel better. There’s no shame in seeking support — it’s actually one of the bravest things you can do.

Empowering Children & Young People

By encouraging children and young people to embrace self-awareness, we’re giving them the tools to grow into resilient, confident individuals. Knowing yourself — what makes you happy, what triggers stress, what calms you down — isn’t just about mental health; it’s about navigating life in a way that helps you thrive. Growth isn’t always easy, but with the right mindset and support, it’s always possible.

So this Children’s Mental Health Week, let’s celebrate self-awareness. Let’s encourage open conversations. Let’s remind young people (and ourselves) that understanding who we are is the first step toward becoming the best version of ourselves.

Check out these resources to help you better understand yourself and your mental health!

Place2Be - the founders of Children’s Mental Health Week: https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/

Young Minds: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

CAMHS Resources: https://www.camhs-resources.co.uk/websites

Young Mindfulness: https://www.youngmindfulness.co.uk/