Improving the mental wellbeing of our children should be a priority, but what are the best ways to do this? We speak to TV personality Joe Wicks to find out what more can be done to keep kids feeling their best.
From 2023 to 2024, the charity YoungMinds reported that 78,577 young people who were referred to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) waited over a year for treatment.
Meanwhile, teaching staff are seeing the impact mental health is having on students’ learning and development. This begs the question: should the government be taking the wellbeing of children and youths more seriously?
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Until last year, the Department for Education (DfE) provided eligible state schools and colleges with grants to train senior mental health leads. The grants could only be used in partnership with quality-assured training services and gave teachers and pastoral staff practical strategies and skills they could use in the classroom.
As of February 2025, the government website has replaced this with a list of training courses, with the caveat that they’re no longer quality assured.
What can be done to help children from an earlier age?
Teaching your children ways to improve their wellbeing must be a priority. Happy, confident children are more likely to reach their potential and, as they move through life, develop into well-adjusted adults who can have a positive impact on society.
Methods of mindfulness such as simple meditation and yoga can provide relaxing and mood-boosting breaks after school and are successfully used in settings from pre-school onwards.
What can parents do at home to keep kids feeling positive?
Fitness coach and TV personality Joe Wicks, also known as ‘The Body Coach’, had a troubled childhood and has spoken publicly about fitness being a stress release.
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His animated Activate series is backed by the UK government’s 10-year health plan, and Joe strongly believes Activate is going to have a massive impact on the mental and physical health the next generation.
“Movement is such a key element of boosting our health and wellbeing, and I’m proud that this project will help make movement something kids can enjoy,” he explains.
“Activate can be used during the school holidays, on the go or after school so kids can always get stuck in. By doing short bursts of movement every day, kids’ moods, focus and their grades will be lifted, and I’m so happy I’m able to play a role in that.”
Meanwhile, The Thrive Programme is another initiative making waves across schools in the UK. The programme utilises engaging, curriculum-based activities such as messy play, nature-based activities and creative arts to support children. These activities can help kids to acquire the understanding, skills and personal relationships needed to develop and sustain healthy social and emotional wellbeing.
Feature image: Ben Montgomery Photography
