Last week (3 to 9 February) the West London NHS Trust marked Children’s Mental Health week (CMHW) with a thoughtfully curated schedule prepared by the fantastic Youth Ambassadors and clinicians from the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
The theme of this year’s CMHW is ‘Know yourself, grow yourself,’ encouraged children and young people to take time to understand themselves—their feelings, strengths, challenges, and unique qualities. By fostering self-awareness , they can build confidence, develop resilience, and make positive choices that support their emotional and mental well-being.
West London NHS Trust Clinical Director for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Dr Johan Redelinghuys said: “Children and young people thrive when they grow up in communities that help them to understand themselves and teaches them to use this knowledge to help them deal with the challenges they might experience in life.
“The theme ‘Know yourself, grow yourself’ aims to encourage children, young people and adults to explore how self-awareness and understanding helps them to find and magnify their strengths. Understanding the things about ourselves that might be perceived as a weakness, ultimately makes us stronger because, once identified, we can work out how to make it better. Just like different plants thrive in different conditions, once we know what we need, we can create the environment we need to thrive in. The earlier young people are helped to learn and experience this, the better for all of us!
To spotlight some of the mental wellbeing support that is available to children and young people in our local communities, West London CAMHS delivered an exciting line up of events to raise awareness and promote emotional well-being. This included:
Tri-borough Trees of skills/strengths activity - All week
A spotlight on celebrating personal growth, guidance was available in all CAMHS tri-borough waiting areas.
West London CAMHS; Journaling 101 event
CAMHS youth ambassadors were online on Wednesday 05 February highlighting all the benefits of journaling for mental health. This workshop covered the basics of journaling, different techniques to try, and how to make it a regular habit in your life. Whether people were new to journaling or looking to enhance their practice, the event was perfect for anyone interested in improving their well-being through writing.
CAMHS services stall - Heart of Hounslow site
On Wednesday 05 February, CAMHS clinicians were distributing seeds and dressing up as ‘Inside Out 2’ Disney characters. There were also stalls set up with information signposting to CAMHS and Children’s services in the borough of Hounslow and colleagues from the London Borough of Hounslow were in attendance.
Hounslow CAMHS Mental Health Schools Team - Tier 3 workshops event
On Thursday 06 February, from 4 to 6pm, there was two interactive workshops held across Hounslow schools to help children and young people with their mental health. The workshops were presented by CAMHS youth ambassadors and specialist CAMHS teachers and focused on ‘inside out’ themes and creative activities to explore emotions and resilience.
Ealing arts therapy event for teens, at The Circle café, 46 South Ealing Road, London W5 4QA
On Thursday 06 February an art therapy event took place for young people aged 16 and over, and focused on well-being and creative expression.