Supporting Children’s Mental Health & The Regis School Nomination

It’s Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and as a charity that primarily supports adult mental health, we know that many of the challenges we see later in life often begin much earlier. That is why raising awareness, promoting early identification and ensuring children receive the right help at the right time is so important.

Mental health challenges often start in childhood

Mental health is not something that suddenly appears in adulthood. In fact, research in the UK consistently shows that:

• Around 50 percent of mental health problems are established by the age of 14, and 75 percent by the age of 24.

• In 2023, approximately 1 in 5 children and young people aged 8 to 16 in England were identified as having a probable mental health disorder.

These figures highlight the scale of the issue. In many classrooms across the country, many children will be quietly struggling. Without early support, these difficulties persist into adulthood, when it is much more difficult to address and manage.

The growing need for support in the UK

The number of children and young people accessing NHS mental health services has risen significantly in recent years. Over one million under 18s were in contact with NHS mental health services in 2024 to 2025, more than double the number recorded just a few years earlier.

While increased awareness is positive, many families still face long waiting times or barriers to accessing appropriate care. Early intervention services, school based support and community organisations play a crucial role in filling this gap.

Why early identification matters

Identifying mental health needs early can:

• Prevent problems from becoming more severe and complex

• Reduce the likelihood of crisis intervention later in life

• Support better outcomes in school and social development

• Equip children with healthy coping skills that last into adulthood

When we invest in children’s mental health, we are investing in the wellbeing of future adults. Prevention and early support reduce long term pressure on families, communities and health services.

The role of adults in children’s lives

Parents, carers, teachers and trusted adults are often the first to notice when something is not quite right. Changes in behaviour, withdrawal from friends, sleep difficulties, changes in appetite, or increased anxiety can all be signs that a young person needs support.

Open conversations, non judgemental listening and knowing where to seek help can make a significant difference. Schools, GPs, local authorities and charities all form part of the wider support network available to children and families across the UK.

A special thank you to The Regis School

We have been nominated by Year 8 students at The Regis School as part of the First Give programme for the second year in a row!

The students have chosen to support CAPITAL because they are passionate about mental health and recognise the importance of the work we do in our area.

We are incredibly grateful that these young people have taken the time to research our work and chosen to champion mental health. Their commitment to awareness raising and social action reflects exactly why Children’s Mental Health Week matters. Young people are not only affected by mental health challenges, they are also powerful advocates for change.

We look forward to meeting the students, sharing more about our work and discussing how any potential grant funding could further support mental health provision in our community.

Looking ahead

We see first hand how early experiences shape later outcomes. Children’s Mental Health Week is a reminder that prevention, early identification and timely support must remain a priority.

By working together across schools, families, health services and community organisations, we can ensure that children and young people receive the support they need before difficulties escalate.

For more mental health resources:
Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week – Official site