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Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week – Support for Primary Schools
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportunity for primary schools to reflect on how they support children’s mental health, emotional wellbeing and sense of belonging.
This year’s theme, ‘This is my place’, encourages us to think about the environments where children feel safe, supported and able to be themselves. For many children, school is a place of routine, reassurance and connection, where trusted adults and friendships help them feel secure and valued.
During Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, primary schools can take part in Shine Bright, Glow Yellow, AWARE NI’s awareness and fundraising campaign. Using the colour yellow as a symbol of positivity, hope and kindness, schools can raise awareness of children’s mental health while giving pupils a simple, visible way to show their support.
Use the sections below to explore ways to get involved, access free mental health resources and learn how your school’s activities can contribute towards the Investors in Mental Health Awards. ⬇️
How schools can get involved
Secondary schools can take part in Shine Bright, Glow Yellow in ways that suit their pupils, staff and school community. Activities can be adapted to focus on participation, wellbeing and inclusion, as well as fundraising.
1. Shine Bright, Glow Yellow non-uniform day
Hold a Shine Bright, Glow Yellow non-uniform day, inviting pupils and staff to wear yellow as a symbol of positivity, kindness and support for children’s mental health.
2. Fun fundraising
Take part in simple and fun fundraising activities, such as bake sales, an AWARE Mood Walk, a sponsored read or other class-based events, with support from families and the wider school community.
3. Assemblies and classroom discussions
Use assemblies, tutor time or classroom discussions to explore mental health, belonging and help-seeking in a safe, age-appropriate way.
4. Wellbeing displays
Create wellbeing displays using positive messages, artwork or class activities that show what makes school their place.
Free downloadable resources from AWARE’s My Mind and Me programme and our latest Express Yourself competition to get you started down below ⬇️
We’d encourage you to think beyond Children’s Mental Health Week and book in activities prioritising mental health throughout the year.
Free mental health resources
We are pleased to share a free, child-friendly wellbeing worksheet based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
Designed for primary school pupils as a follow-up from our My Mind and Me programme, this colourful worksheet introduces Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give through simple activities children can try at school or at home. It also includes a weekly tick chart to help pupils practise and reflect on positive wellbeing habits.
The worksheet is ideal for use during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, in classrooms, circle time or wellbeing activities.
Investors in Mental Health
The Investors in Mental Health Awards recognise schools that are making a positive impact on mental health through a whole-school approach.
Activities taking place between May 2024 and May 2026, including fundraising for mental health, can contribute towards progress to Gold Standard. This means your school can take part in Shine Bright, Glow Yellow while also working towards formal recognition for its commitment to mental wellbeing.
The Awards provide an opportunity to:
- Celebrate the positive work already happening in your school
- Demonstrate leadership in mental health and wellbeing
- Gain recognition while supporting AWARE NI’s vital services
Applications will open 1st May 2026 and close 28th June 2026. We'll send you a reminder closer to the time!
Get in touch with our team
If you’d like to:
- Take part in Shine Bright, Glow Yellow
- Find out more about the Investors in Mental Health Awards
- Book a programme for your classroom such as My Mind and Me or one of our mindfulness programmes
Please complete our contact form and a member of the AWARE NI team will be in touch.
Prefer to email? Contact us at communications@aware-ni.org
