Feeling low, finding support: children’s mental health matters
February 10, 2026
Photograph of distressed girl in doorway from Pixabay
Nikol Nikolova on how love and support help children navigate challenges
Our idea of children’s wellbeing often focusses on their physical health, exercising regularly and eating well. However, society regularly fails to acknowledge the importance of mental health and often misses where young people need support most.
Some adults consider it too early to talk to children about mental health, self‑esteem or relationships. Yet research by JAMA Pediatrics on positive childhood experiences shows that strong connections, nurturing relationships and clear communication support healthy emotional and social development and lay the foundation for future success.
We need to support young people who have experienced trauma or difficult times and help them thrive. It is vital to notice early warning signs and provide wraparound care that meets each child’s individual needs. Every young person is unique, so they need holistic support that helps them feel they truly have a safe place at home, at school and in their communities.
Recent NHS data, analysed by YoungMinds, shows children’s mental health referrals are now at record levels, with urgent and very urgent referrals to specialist services rising sharply in 2025. Nearly one million young people in England are actively referred for support, with many still waiting for treatment to begin. This highlights the ongoing strain on services and the urgent need for early, comprehensive support.
Does our society do enough to support young people as they transition through difficult periods of their lives?
A few of my friends at Exposure have shared experiences of loneliness and isolation, which affected their mental wellbeing. Less time with friends and fewer opportunities to enjoy hobbies can all take a toll.
Social media is a double-edged sword. It helps children stay connected but also creates pressure, exposes them to misinformation and encourages constant comparison, which can affect self-esteem and emotional wellbeing.
This crisis in children and young people’s wellbeing really resonates with me. Having grown up not so long ago, I can see how much support is missing and how badly it’s needed in areas like mindfulness, self-esteem, relationships and basic life skills, which schools often struggle to fully cover.
Many young people still feel unprepared for adult life. Lots of us at university struggled with bills, managing sleep and the basics of living independently. These experiences show just how much more schools and communities could do to give young people the skills and support they need to thrive.
We need to actively listen to our children, give them the safe place to open up
Research from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University shows that early experiences shape the developing brain and lay the foundation for lifelong mental health. When a child’s early environment is disrupted, it can affect their ability to learn, relate to others, and thrive later in life, highlighting the importance of positive relationships and stable experiences early on.
Ultimately, preparing children for the future means more than providing resources. We need to actively listen, give them space to open up, and teach life skills, resilience, mental health awareness, and how to form healthy relationships.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, NSPCC, offers helpful tips and strategies to promote mental health and wellbeing for children. It is never too early to talk to young people and encourage them to share their feelings.
If you are struggling, these helplines provide free and confidential support for children and young people:
