Did you know that 1 in 5 children experience mental health challenges?
Children’s Mental Health Week is an opportunity to highlight all the support available for children and young people across Buckinghamshire. Helping to ensure every child feels happy, safe, and supported.
Explore resources, tips, and local services that can make a difference to a child’s wellbeing.
Children’s Mental Health Week 2026
Children’s Mental Health Week has been making a difference since 2015, giving young people a voice, building awareness, inspiring action and raising funds to improve children’s mental health across the UK.
This year’s theme, “This is My Place”, is all about belonging, the aim is to ensure that every child and young person feels included and supported whether that’s at school, at home, or in their community.
There’s loads to get involved with, head to Place2Be's Children's Mental Health Week website which is packed with free activities and resources, including resources for schools, parents and organisations.
There are also more than 50 short educational videos on the Place2Be Parenting Smart website covering a wide range of subjects including:
Take part
Buckinghamshire Mind will be running a fundraising campaign for Children’s Mental Health Week. They are asking schools to hold a non-uniform day in aid of Buckinghamshire Mind’s Children and Young People Services. The charity’s Children and Young People Team will deliver a free mental health awareness assembly to all schools that take part.
To take part email [email protected]
They also have Children’s Book Activity Sheets available.
You can also download their top tips poster (PDF, 4.65 MB)
Children and young people’s mental health services in Buckinghamshire
Supporting Babies and Young Children (0–5) with their mental health
Babies and young children have mental health just like adults do. In the early years, “mental health” means a child’s social and emotional wellbeing and how safe, loved and understood they feel, how they manage big feelings, and how they connect with others.
The Health for Under 5s website covers important milestones in a child’s development from pregnancy through baby, toddler and preschool, as well as offering support, information and advice specifically for parents and carers.
- Toddler behaviour
- Starting Reception
- Helping your child through a relationship breakdown
- Supporting your child through grief and loss
As a parent, looking after yourself matters. Caring for a young child is joyful and demanding. Your wellbeing supports theirs: Unmasking parenthood
For children in need of mental health support, parents or carers can speak to a GP, School Health Nurse, or teacher, who can make contact with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) on their behalf.
Young people aged 16 to 17 years can self-refer:
- Phone: 01865 901 951
- Email: [email protected]
School Nurses support young people aged 11 to 19 years with a wide range of health and wellbeing concerns, including emotional health, relationships, self‑harm, bullying, alcohol, healthy eating, drugs, smoking and more. To find your School Nurse and their contact details, use the link below to see which team covers your school. Find Help | Health for Teens
ChatHealth Is a confidential text messaging service that gives young people quick, easy access to expert health advice. You can text anonymously if you prefer, and you’ll receive a reply within 24 working hours (Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm, excluding bank holidays).
Text: 07312 263295
Youth Concern provides person-centred counselling for young people in Aylesbury between the ages of 13 to 25 years.
Youth Enquiry Service (YES) offers free counselling, information and support for young people based in High Wycombe aged 13 to 25 years.
For those aged 18 and above, Bucks Talking Therapies offers a range of free, NHS-approved psychological therapies. Anyone registered with a Buckinghamshire GP can refer themselves online or by phone.
Buckinghamshire Mind provides a range of services to support children and young people including:
The Buckinghamshire family Hub Network is a central point for advice, support, and services to guide families through every stage —from birth to age 19, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Family Hub Network services include:
- Virtual and face-to-face courses for young people
- Workshops
- Drop-ins
Visit one of our three Family Centres, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, No appointment needed! Our friendly team is here and ready to help.
Buckinghamshire Family Information Service
The Buckinghamshire Family Information Service is your essential guide to family life in the county. It offers easy access to advice and resources to support children’s mental health, with information on topics such as:
Bucks Sexual Health and Wellbeing (BSHaW)
Sexual Health Bucks offers free, confidential support for young people across Buckinghamshire. Services include tests, check-ups and contraception—in a safe, judgment-free space. Plus, friendly professionals are on hand to chat about relationships, sexual health, or anything on their mind.
National support and resources for Children’s mental health
- Kooth — a mental wellbeing community where pupils can find online support and counselling
- Shout — a 24/7 text messaging crisis support service
- Harmless - Harmless is the national centre of excellence for self-harm and suicide prevention.
- Health for Teens - offers bite-sized information on a range of emotional health topics, including body image, managing stress, advice on relationships, puberty, sexuality, and much more.
- Young Minds - offers information to young people about improving their mental health and emotional wellbeing. The YoungMinds Crisis Messenger provides free 24/7 mental health crisis support Text YM to 85258
- The Mix - provides free, confidential support for young people under 25.
- Childline - You can talk to Childline about anything. No problem is too big or too small. Call them on 0800 1111 or chat to a counsellor 1-2-1 online
- Samaritans - Whatever you're going through, call them free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.
- NHS - Bereavement and young people
- Thames Valley - Amparo offers support for anyone affected by suicide in Buckinghamshire
- Child Bereavement UK offers face-to-face support for children and young people up to the age of 25 who have been bereaved or are facing bereavement. Telephone: 0800 028 8840
Urgent mental health crisis
If you or someone you know is experiencing an urgent mental health crisis, call 999 or visit your nearest Accident and Emergency department.
Text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer.