The mental health epidemic in young children is getting worse, exacerbated by the pandemic and cost of living crisis. The resources available to support these challenges are decreasing. Data shows that now 1 in 5 children in each classroom struggles with their mental health. If left unsupported, these young people are likely to struggle to engage with education which may lead to them engaging with crime, child exploitation or further deteriorating mental health challenges.

Our award-winning charity, which has been running for over 12 years, is campaigning for funding to deliver its preventative mental health project, Make Me Smile, to all primary schools in Oxfordshire. This will provide every school with psychology-based therapeutic tools, strategies, and resources to implement a whole-school approach to supporting mental health. The project opens pathways for identifying more complex safeguarding and mental health needs, enabling signposting to our services.