Care Trust brings mental health awareness to schools during Children’s Mental Health Week 2025
Posted: 27 January 2025
In recognition of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 (3–9 February), Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust is taking action to highlight the importance of mental health support for young people. Throughout the week, the Trust’s Mental Health Support teams (MHSTs) will visit schools across the district to raise awareness, provide vital information, and engage pupils in conversations about mental health and emotional well-being.
The theme of this year’s awareness week is ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’, with the aim to equip and empower children and young people across the UK to embrace self-awareness and explore what it means to them. The initiative aims to encourage students to discover how getting to know who they are can help them build resilience, grow and develop.
Around half of all mental health illnesses begin by the age of 14. Preventing and identifying mental health issues as early as possible is crucial to effective treatment and recovery. To support this, the Trust has rolled out Mental Health Support teams in schools, which is a national strategy initiative. The teams support schools to adopt a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing and have trained groups of students to become Wellbeing Champions. They offer peer support as well as signposting, organising events and being the voice for the wellbeing of students in their education setting.
The Trust’s MHSTs, which work with schools across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, are specially trained to support children and young people experiencing challenges like anxiety, stress, and low mood. By working directly in schools, they provide easy access to mental health support where it is needed most.
Angela Bethel, Clinical Lead for the MHST Programme at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We know that many children face challenges with their mental health, but asking for help can be difficult. By meeting students in their school environment during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we hope to make it easier for them to understand that support is available, that it’s okay to ask for help, and that they are not alone.”
The MHSTs will host a variety of events and activities during the week, including:
- Interactive workshops: focused on managing stress, building resilience, and understanding emotions.
- Assemblies and presentations: raising awareness of mental health, sharing success stories, and explaining how to access support.
- Parent and staff engagement: providing resources and guidance to help parents and school staff better understand and support young people’s mental health needs.
The initiative aligns with the Trust’s commitment to empower students to speak up about their mental health, reduce stigma, and learn how to access help when they need it. By actively involving pupils, parents, and school staff, the Care Trust aims to create lasting change in how mental health is perceived and addressed in schools.
Parents and schools interested in learning more about the MHST programme or participating in events during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week can visit the website to find out more.
Visit Healthy Minds website to find mental health information, advice and support for people of all ages in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven.