Mental Health and Well Being
Championing safe and supportive places for young people this mental health week
To help children and young people feel safe, valued and connected online and in the
places where they live, play and learn, Warwickshire services are supporting Children’s
Mental Health Week 2026 (9 -15 Feb).
This year’s theme for the annual awareness week from the charity Place2Be, is ‘This Is
My Place’. The aim of the week is to support the systems around children so young
people feel they belong and that their wellbeing matters. A sense of belonging helps
young people to feel included and able to make a difference in their communities which
can support mental health.
Warwickshire County Council and partners are promoting the week to encourage
children and young people to talk about mental health and wellbeing with services, their
peers and their families, and reassure them that they will be heard. Good mental health
is shaped throughout childhood, so it’s important for children to build confidence,
independence and the ability to navigate life’s ups and down.
Last month the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2026 was published, with a
theme of ‘Growing Up Online’. The content identifies the impact that social media and
digital spaces can affect children’s mental health.
Although social media offers opportunities for creativity, connection, and learning, it also
exposes young people to pressures such as misinformation, isolation, and targeted
commercial content – all of which can affect their physical and mental health.
In summary the annual report found that by working together families, schools, services
and communities can help shape safer online and offline environments.
This collective approach is essential to ensuring that technology supports young
people’s wellbeing and can empower every child to feel safe, supported, and able to
thrive in an increasingly digital world. To view a copy please go to : https://
www.warwickshire.gov.uk/strategy-governance-health-wellbeing/director-public-
There are a number of different mental health services for young people in
Warwickshire. Support in the community and from these services is more important
than ever to ensure children, young people and their families can find help when they
need it and access information and advice.
Resources like Wellbeing 4 Life’s life map offer practical advice to help families nurture
good mental health through each stage of life.
Coventry and Warwickshire RISE, a family of NHS mental health services for children
and young people, provides a variety of support. From mental health specialists based in
schools to therapy and crisis services. The Warwickshire Rise Service offers
comprehensive support for all children and young people, which includes:
- Direct support: A combination of group sessions for young people and their parents or
- carers, along with individual therapeutic interventions.
- School-based resilience programmes: Initiatives like Boomerang, Big Umbrella, and
- Mental Health in School Teams.
- Support for caregivers: Collaborating with social care, schools, and other
- professionals.
- Community-based support: Resources for parents and carers through Rise
- Community Partnerships.
- 24-hour support: Access to crisis care and a 24/7 helpline.
Young people aged 11-25 can also access free, safe, and confidential support
through Kooth.com. This online service offers access to trained counsellors between
midday and 10pm on weekdays and 6pm to 10pm at weekends. Young people can also
use Kooth to find wellbeing tips, join moderated forums, or keep track of their emotions
with a daily journal.
Families with children and young people who have special educational needs or
disabilities (SEND) can find tailored advice and support through Warwickshire’s Local
Offer. This online resource includes information and guidance to help families connect
with the right services.
For more information about mental health services for young people in Warwickshire,
visit:
Mental health services for young people – Warwickshire County Council.
To learn about broader mental health and wellbeing support available for all residents,
visit:
Warwickshire County Council Mental Health Support.
https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/resources/#families