Place2Be: Children’s Mental Health Week

Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week runs from 6 to 12 February 2023, with this year’s theme being ‘Let’s Connect’.

Connecting, talking, smiling, hugging and  feeling is essential when it comes to children’s wellbeing.

We all need to have a sense of belonging, whether it is being part of a family, friendship, or community. Children need to form happy and healthy relationships to flourish.

Connection and relationships are valuable for children’s mental health. Making sure that children take the time to strengthen and broaden their friendships and relationships, is vital  so they can build and develop and have a sense of belonging that will enable them to thrive in their environment.

Parents separation and family disputes impact on children and young person’s mental health.

Children who witness arguments or have exposure to conflict between parents, whether the parents are still together or separated, has a significant and negative impact on children and young person’s mental health.

Unfortunately, when parents do separate, the intense and unresolved conflict between parents can place children at risk of mental health issues and could also result in other behavioural issues such as depression, social anxiety and poor performance at school.

The specialist team at IBB Law can guide parents who are not able to agree on how to parent their children, arrangements for who they spend time with and many other issues arising from the breakdown of their relationship and separation. Mediation is also a sensible forum to consider assisting in resolving some of the above points. This process could help both parents work openly and honestly through issues that are in dispute by opening up a dialogue to trying to reach an agreement.

What steps can you take to support children and make meaningful and confident relationships?

• Encourage children to spend more time with friends to build trust with each other.
• Activities, sharing and playing.
• Encourage children to talk openly and feely.
• Allow their voice to be heard.
• Being together and present in the moment.
• Teaching children kindness, understanding and caring.
• Recognising and rewarding children’s achievements at home and at school.

Children need emotional and psychological connections to feel safe and secure in their environment.

Connect together and Smile together.

Speak to our Family Law experts

Should you need further advice, please speak to our Family Law experts on 03456 381 381 or alternatively e-mail reena.vadera@ibblaw.co.uk.

Should you need further advice, with getting divorced, finances and child arrangements, please speak to our Family Law experts on 03456 381 381 or alternatively e-mail reena.vadera@ibblaw.co.uk.