Place2Be's CEO launches Children's Mental Health Week

Catherine Roche

Catherine Roche is the Chief Executive of Place2Be. She began her career in teaching before completing an MBA and joining KPMG. Her pro bono support for Place2Be from 1996 inspired her to join the charity as Chief Operating Officer in 2003 and then Deputy CEO. In 2014 she became Chief Executive and has led the organisation’s development since then. In 2019, Catherine was elected to the NHS Confederation Mental Health Network Board. She is also a school governor of her local secondary school and a non-Executive Director of GoodCorporation.

After months of preparation, Children’s Mental Health Week is finally here! 

Around the country, schools, organisations and individuals will be raising awareness of the importance of children and young people’s mental health and exploring ways that young people can ‘find their brave’. 

We’re honoured to have the support, once again, from our Royal Patron HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. In a statement issued today, The Duchess says: “I am pleased to support Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week, which is this year focused on bravery. For many children today, the world can feel a scary and daunting place. While we might not always feel brave inside, even the smallest act - such as sharing a worry or asking for help - can be incredibly courageous.  

“Being able to try new things and push ourselves outside of our comfort zone are important skills that can build children’s resilience and self-esteem. Learning these skills early in life can give children tools to cope with future challenges they may face in adulthood.”  

We’re also really pleased to share the findings of our survey with the school leaders’ union NAHT which has revealed that the number of schools commissioning professional help for children’s mental health issues has increased significantly since 2016. While this is a welcome step in the right direction, with 3 children in every classroom now presenting with a diagnosable mental health problem, there is still much more support needed.

Later this week I’ll be talking about the important role played by schools – and most especially school leaders –  in creating a culture supportive of mental health at the NAHT’s School Leaders’ Summit this Thursday. 

Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing more news on our website and via social media. Please help us to spread the word and tell us how you are supporting the week, by retweeting or sharing Place2Be’s posts.

And - I’ll be donning my swimsuit, goggles and hat to (literally) take the plunge in my first venture into a swimming pool for many years, in an attempt to 'find my brave' and prove to my son that I can just about swim…. Gulp … !