At the start of Children’s Mental Health Week, Debbie shares her thought for the week that we can all help.

Children’s Mental Health Week was first launched by the charity Place2Be in 2015. Its aim is to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. Throughout this week in many schools, colleges and universities, the focus will once again be on how we can support children and young people through difficult times. According to the Young Minds website, one in six children aged five to sixteen were identified as having a probable mental health problem in July of 2021, an increased from one in nine in 2017. 83% of young people with mental health needs agree that the Coronavirus pandemic has made their mental health worse.

But what about us as a church family? How can we support our children and young people? Philippians 4:6 tells us:

not to be anxious about anything, but to pray about everything.

Philippians 4:6

1 Peter 5:7 tells us to:

cast our cares on God because he cares for us.

1 Peter 5:7

And Isaiah 41:10 tells us:

not to be afraid or anxious because God is with us and He will strengthen us.

Isaiah 41:10

We believe that Jesus can make a difference to the challenges of mental health and well-being. We must acknowledge that we have don’t have all the answers, but be there to offer support, listen and stand alongside people who are struggling.

Imagine a child or a young person who’s struggling with maybe anxiety or depression. We don’t always know what the child or young person is going through and sometimes it can feel they are drowning in their difficulties, feeling like there is no way out – the joy that we have as Christians has disappeared. Reigniting that flame, that spark of joy in their life, becomes more difficult. But if we as a church family can draw close to them, we can be the ones to bring them back with that joy.

We need to remember the positive impact that the church community can have on the life of a child or a young person, that we can all help. Most importantly, we can support them by praying for those that we know, but also by checking in regularly either with them or their parents and by sharing God’s word and His promises with them. Finally, we can be the voice of a child or a young person. We can signpost a person to places where they can find the help that they need.

It’s time that we as a Church come and stand alongside these children and young people, show them the love of God and help them to realise that Jesus is the answer.

Every week one of our members shares a short thought aiming to inspire you for the week. You can watch previous Thought For The Week videos by clicking here.