Publish date: 5 February 2025
From 3 to 9 February the Trust is marking Children’s Mental Health week (CMHW) with a thoughtfully curated schedule prepared by our 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,’ which encourages 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 has planned an exciting line up of events to raise awareness and promote emotional well-being.”
What's on
Tri-borough Trees of skills/strengths activity - All week
Monday 3 to Friday 7 February
A spotlight on celebrating personal growth, guidance will be available in all CAMHS tri-borough waiting areas.
West London CAMHS; Journaling 101 event
Join our CAMHS youth ambassadors online on Wednesday 05 February 2025 at 4pm to learn all about the benefits of journaling for mental health. This workshop will cover the basics of journaling, different techniques to try, and how to make it a regular habit in your life. Whether you're new to journaling or looking to enhance your practice, this event is perfect for anyone interested in improving their well-being through writing.
Reserve your place on Eventbrite
Gardening and plant pot painting activity - Hammersmith and Fulham
There will be a gardening and plant pot painting activity taking place at CAMHS, Hammersmith and Fulham on Tuesday 04 February from 4pm to 5pm. The activity will focus on encouraging our young people to get creative and enhance their well-being. This event is open to young people aged 12 to 18 years old CAMHS service users, or service users that are 6 months’ post discharge.
CAMHS services stall - Heart of Hounslow site
On Wednesday 05 February, our CAMHS clinicians will be distributing seeds and dressing up as ‘Inside Out 2’ Disney characters. There will also be stalls set up with information signposting to our CAMHS and Children’s services in the borough of Hounslow and our colleagues from the London Borough of Hounslow and Hounslow Borough Based Partnership Hounslow will also be in attendance.
Coffee morning peer support group for parents in Ealing
On Wednesday 05 February from 10am to 12pm, Senior CAMHS link workers are running a peer support coffee group for parents in Ealing at the Circle cafe to equip them with the tools for supporting children and young people with their mental health.
Hounslow CAMHS Mental Health Schools Team - Tier 3 workshops event
On Thursday 06 February, from 4 to 6pm, there will be two interactive workshops held across Hounslow schools to help children and young people with their mental health. The workshops will be presented by our CAMHS youth ambassadors and specialist CAMHS teachers. They will focus 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 will take place for young people aged 16 and over, under 16s are also welcome if they are accompanied by an adult. Speak to your clinician to sign up. This event will focus on well-being and creative expression and will be run by the Ealing art therapy team.
To sign up to attend CMHW events, please email service.userinvolvement@westlondon.nhs.uk or talk to your CAMHS clinician
Stay tuned for our events throughout the week on our social media channels!