The week long campaign encourages children and young people to celebrate what makes them unique.

Place2Be's Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge has recorded a special video message to help launch this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week (5 – 11 February 2018). 

The video was filmed at last month’s visit to Reach Academy Feltham, where Her Royal Highness spoke to two Year 11 pupils Lauren and Sophia, Mum of two Mandy and Principal Ed Vainker about the theme for the week ‘Being Ourselves’. 

Low self-esteem affects more than 8 in 10 of the pupils who receive Place2Be’s one-to-one support, but when children are supported to have a positive view of themselves it can have a real impact on their confidence and can help them cope with life’s challenges. That’s why the theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Being Ourselves’ – encouraging children and young people to feel comfortable with who they are and celebrate what makes them unique.

In the message, Her Royal Highness says: 

“Childhood is an incredibly important moment in our lives. It is the time when we explore our personalities, discover the potential that lies within us and learn how to be ourselves. Our experience of the world at this early stage helps to shape who we become as adults, how we begin to feel comfortable in our own skin.”

The Duchess also refers to the role that all adults play in helping children become the best versions of themselves:

“Whether we are school leaders, teachers, support staff or parents, we each have a role to play. When we are open and honest with each other about the challenges we face, we can work together to ensure the children in our care have the chance to become the best version of themselves.”

This Children’s Mental Health Week, schools up and down the country will be celebrating ‘Being Ourselves’! You can get involved by spreading the word online, sharing the video, and downloading our top tips for parents, teachers and children.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been Patron of Place2Be since 2013, reflecting her interest in children’s mental health and the importance of early intervention to provide children with mental health services in school, reaching children at the earliest stage possible to tackle problems before they escalate.