Reflecting on Children’s Mental Health Week
Children’s Mental Health Week exists to raise awareness and to call for change. Over the past week, we have been flying that flag, launching new insights and research to enhance our collective understanding and standing with young people to drive change. The challenges facing young people today are vast, ever-growing, and increasingly complex.
The Children’s Society’s Good Childhood research
The Children’s Society’s Good Childhood research programme launched 21 years ago. Throughout that time, we have explored the drivers of low wellbeing among young people. Last week, we brought this together in our new report reviewing how children's wellbeing has changed, to highlight key trends:
- Children’s wellbeing is in decline.
- Too many children have low wellbeing, with some characteristics and experiences making low life satisfaction more likely.
- There are particular concerns for girls’ wellbeing, with girls being significantly less happy than boys across a range of measures.
- School and appearance are problematic aspects of life for many children, who feel a lot of pressure around both.
We shared this report to highlight the breadth and depth of what has been discovered by listening to young people for over two decades – and to highlight the missed opportunity in failing to implement this at national scale, at the heart of policy making and service delivery.
Parliament demonstration
Parliament demonstration
For 21 years, The Children’s Society has filled the gap with our Good Childhood research programme.
This is why we joined with young people, supporters and campaigners to urge the Government to introduce a national wellbeing measurement programme.
We took this message directly to those in power, standing outside Parliament and delivering it to the door of 10 Downing Street. With 4,328 signatures behind this call, we are clear this is a national priority that needs to be recognised in the corridors of power.
Looking ahead: putting children’s wellbeing where it belongs
As we look ahead at what comes next, we recognise that the Government has taken well intentioned steps to respond, but they are simply not landing in ways that create meaningful change.
The reason? We are still guessing. Taking swings without knowing where the ball is coming from. Acting without truly listening to children and young people themselves.
If we look to the future children deserve, it’s clear that wellbeing must be embedded at the heart of decision‑making. Children’s wellbeing should shape how policies are designed, how services are funded, and how success is judged across Government.
That means moving beyond charity-funded research and the postcode lottery of local approaches. We need a long‑term, national commitment to measuring children’s wellbeing regularly, consistently, and meaningfully. And crucially, we must listen directly to what children and young people say matters most in their lives, rather than assuming we already know.
Measurement matters
Measurement matters
Wellbeing data must be a tool for change, not a passive set of statistics. It should actively guide policy, inform investment, and drive real improvements in schools, services and communities. Measurement must lead to action. The Government should be transparent about progress, accountable for outcomes, and prepared to respond when children’s experiences show that change is needed.
By measuring what truly matters to children, we can build a system that supports their wellbeing earlier, more fairly and more effectively – giving every child not just the chance to grow up, but to thrive.
Ask your MP to write to the Minister of Education
Over 4,300 people have called on the Government to introduce a National Wellbeing Measurement for children and young people, and now we need your help to turn that support into real change.
