- During Children’s Mental Health Week (5-11 February), Newham Council and partners are running a series of mental health workshops for children and young people
- The workshops form part of the wider national campaign to promote resilience among under-18s
As part of Newham Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting young people, we are running a series of mental health workshops for Newham residents aged 18 and under, this national Children’s Mental Health Week. The activity is in collaboration with Newham’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Kooth and Discovery College.
The workshops are aimed at supporting wellbeing and improving overall mental health – a key health-related issue faced by children. Parents, carers and professionals are also being invited to sessions, aimed at equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support their loved ones.
Councillor Sarah Ruiz, Cabinet member for Children’s Service and Education and Councillor Neil Wilson, Cabinet member for Health and Adult Social Care, said:
“We want to ensure children and young people growing up in Newham feel safe, supported and connected. There are a range of tools available to help those who may be going through a difficult time, as well as their parents and carers.
“The Newham Family Hub Network provides access to a wide range of support services, including those aimed at improving the mental health of boys and girls growing up in our borough. We have implemented a Mental Health Integrated Front Door pilot in East Ham as the primary pathway for all children and young people in the area to access tailored mental wellbeing support. Our work with the Newham Multi-Agency Collective is also improving children and young people’s access to holistic and creative support.
“No child should have to face a mental health problem alone and we encourage anyone who knows of a young person who is struggling, to signpost them to us. We are here for our next generation.”
Supporting the national campaign, led by the charity Place2Be, the workshops are focused on raising awareness around the importance of good mental health in children. Launched in 2015 and now in its tenth year, Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week aims to equip, empower, and give a voice to children across the UK. The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘My Voice Matters’ which is focused on empowering children to express themselves freely.
Eric Haines, Place2Be’s Regional Director (London and South), said: “It’s brilliant that Newham Council is getting behind Place2Be’s 2024 Children’s Mental Health Week by providing practical support to young people in Newham.
“From our work with schools across the borough, we know that now more than ever, it’s so important our communities encourage young people to speak up and give them the tools to express themselves freely.”
There are a wide range of factors increasing the risk of mental health conditions such as abuse, neglect and substance misuse, including youth vaping. Experts have found vaping can have negative effects on brain development in teenagers, worsening symptoms of anxiety and depression. In October 2023, the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, described the matter as an “epidemic” and raised concerns about how “it’s affecting children’s health and wellbeing”.
There are a number of services dedicated to providing mental health support for children and young people in Newham:
- Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), offers assessment and support to children, young people and their families. This includes those dealing with significant emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties. The service has specialist clinics that provide support for eating disorders and psychosis, and offer assessments for ADHD (all ages) and ASD assessments for those aged over 13.
- CAMHS’ Wellbeing in Newham Schools Team (WINS), offers support to staff, parents and pupils directly on site in the borough’s schools. Early intervention mental health and wellbeing support is provided. Newham CAMHS WINS hope to have a practitioner available to every school in the borough by 2026, as part of Newham’s plan to increase the ability of Health, Education, Statutory services and Community partners across the borough to work in closer collaboration.
- Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous online counselling service for young people aged 10-18 in Newham. Users can reach qualified counsellors from any device.
- Our Youth Empowerment services offer activities and tools to support children and young people’s development.
To find out how you can join the workshops, visit www.wellnewham.org.uk/advice/childrens-mental-health-week.