Next week (9-15 February) is Children’s Mental Health Week, an annual campaign that shines a spotlight on the importance of supporting children and young people’s mental wellbeing.
It encourages positive connections and raises awareness of how feeling supported can improve mental health.
This year theme is ‘This is My Place’ #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek, and focuses on a child’s sense of belonging as individuals, and how friendships, in school, and in communities play a vital role in their mental health and wellbeing.
It can have powerful and long-lasting impacts in lots of areas of a child’s life, including in their physical and mental health, education, employment and relationships.
Promoting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in Devon
Whether it is local resources that promote wellbeing, knowledge & skills development for those supporting children and young people, or organisations and services that can provide more direct support there is plenty available in Devon to help build resilience and mental wellbeing for our young people
#CMHW2026Devon
My Way
My Way is the new Wellbeing Service for children and young people in Devon, launched in autumn 2025. Young people can access advice & information, as well as ongoing support if needed. Support is available online and face to face.
Download posters and leaflets to use in your schools.
Youth Connect 5
In Devon Connect 5 training has been available to workforces & communities for a number of years. This is training that helps to build knowledge and skills, and the confidence to use those to have mental wellbeing conversations. In late 2025 an additional Connect 5 training offer was rolled out – Youth Connect 5.
Youth Connect 5 training provides the knowledge, skills and understanding to help children & young people develop strong emotional wellbeing through resilience-building techniques, whilst understanding why we feel the way we do.
These techniques will strengthen the ability of children and young people to adapt well to adversity, trauma, and stress, skills that will remain with them into adulthood.
To find out more about this and other related training, visit our ‘mental wellbeing and suicide prevention training’ web page
5 ways to wellbeing
Making time for mental wellbeing and self-care is important for us all. Embedding small things as part of your day to day life can help you feel better and more resilient.
The Five ways to wellbeing are simple steps we can take to help us feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.
Find out more about the 5 ways, including accessing free resources you can download or order hard copies of on the new ‘promoting positive wellbeing’ page of the Devon County Council website
Information and Support
Local information and support
Child Family Health Devon – For NHS mental health support for children & young people in Devon
NHS 111 – in a crisis call 111 and select the mental health option
Health for under5s – advice and support from trusted NHS professionals for parents and carers of children under five years old
Health for Kids Devon – Health advice and support information for parents and carers of younger children
Health for Teens – Health, mental health, feelings, relationships and other advice tailored for young people in Devon
Devon Schools Wellbeing Partnership – Schools and colleges across Devon can find information and resources to support the emotional and mental wellbeing of pupils on the Devon Schools Wellbeing Partnership website – a free, universal resource available to all schools.
Child and family support in Devon – there’s a wide range of advice, guidance and support available for children, young people and families in Devon.
Family Minds Partnership – a group of organisations working alongside each other to better improve mental health support for Children, Young People and their Families across Devon. Website includes support directories of mental health services for children and young people
National information and support
Young Minds – mental health charity for children and young people, including a parents helpline
Papyrus – suicide prevention for children and young people (up to age 35years) Call HOPELINE24/7 for free on 0800 068 4141
NHS mental health for children, teenagers and young adults – national advice and support