This week (9–15 February 2026), Children’s Mental Health Week shines a spotlight on the emotional wellbeing of children and young people across the UK. This national campaign aims to raise awareness of children’s mental health, celebrate every child’s unique journey, and support environments where all young people feel secure, valued and included.

Why This Matters

Mental health conditions affect a significant number of children and young people. Supporting positive mental health isn’t just about helping during times of struggle; it’s about building confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging that lasts a lifetime.

The theme for Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 is:

“This is My Place”

This powerful theme highlights the importance of belonging. It’s about making sure children and young people feel connected; in their friendships, in school, in their families and in their wider communities. Feeling that they truly belong helps young people grow, take part, feel confident to speak up, and build strong relationships.

At NELFT, we are taking the opportunity to highlight the variety of services and support available to children, young people and families within our schools and communities.

Thurrock SET CAMHS is taking time as a service to reflect on achievements from the past year and consider how continued collaboration can strengthen support for children and young people. As part of this, the service has invited its Co-Production Lead to support discussion around how young people’s voices can be meaningfully included in both celebrations and future service developments.

The time set aside will provide a positive and reflective space for staff to recognise collective progress, acknowledge improvements across the service, and reaffirm a shared commitment to partnership working with children, young people and families. 

Resources for families:

NELFT have a variety of different services that offer help to children and young people for their mental health, see below:

NELFT Mental Health Support Teams/Emotional Support Teams:

• Barking & Dagenham Mental Health Support Team (MHST) | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
• Essex schools mental health support team | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
• Havering Emotional Support Team (HEST) | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
• Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust    

NELFT CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and CYPMHS (Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service):

• NELFT London CAMHS services. | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
• Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) CAMHS | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
• Kent & Medway Children & Young People's Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust