Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 took place nationwide as an opportunity to shine a light on the importance of children and young people’s mental wellbeing.
Led by the charity Place2Be, the week encouraged schools and communities to reflect on how mental health affects everyday life and why it is so important to talk openly, seek support and look after ourselves and each other.
This year’s theme, “This is My Place”, focused on helping children and young people feel a sense of belonging. It explored the idea that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued and accepted in the places that matter most to them – whether that is at home, at school, or within their wider community.
At Wolverhampton Grammar School, Children’s Mental Health Week was marked with a wide range of activities designed to support wellbeing, encourage conversation and help pupils of all ages feel that WGS is a place where they belong.
The week began with assemblies led by the school’s Mental Health Champions, introducing the theme and encouraging pupils to think about what “my place” meant to them. These assemblies set a positive tone for the week and reminded pupils that they were never alone and that support was always available within school.
Throughout the week, pupils were able to take part in a variety of creative, active and reflective activities. These included an exam stress workshop to support older students, rock painting and postcard-writing sessions that allowed pupils to express their feelings creatively, and a Year 7 creative competition linked to the theme. Wellbeing was also promoted through physical activities such as basketball, badminton, cricket, circuits and table tennis, reinforcing the link between physical activity and positive mental health.
Time was also dedicated during form periods to focused wellbeing discussions, giving pupils the opportunity to talk, listen and reflect in a supportive environment. Activities such as crafting, mindfulness sessions, board games and a relaxing knitting club provided calm spaces for pupils to unwind and connect with others. On Friday, students and staff were invited to wear green accessories to raise awareness and show their support for mental health.
A key message throughout the week was that WGS is a safe place where pupils are encouraged to talk about how they are feeling. Students were reminded that they could speak to trusted members of staff or any adult they felt comfortable with, as well as peer supporters within the school community.
The week also highlighted trusted external support services available to young people. Pupils were signposted to organisations such as Kooth, an online mental wellbeing community offering free, confidential support, and Place2Be, which provides counselling and mental health support in schools. These resources reinforced the message that help is available both inside and outside of school.
Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 was a valuable opportunity for the WGS community to come together, reflect and support one another. By taking part in a wide range of activities and conversations, pupils were reminded that WGS is a place where they belong, where their voices matter, and where their mental health is taken seriously, not just during this week, but all year round.
