Children’s Mental Health Week
A virtual music event and the launch of a new young people’s website will mark national Children’s Mental Health Week (February 5 – 11) in Dudley borough.
Dudley Performing Arts and public health, both run by Dudley Council, will host the third annual Harmony event on February 9 at 2pm. It will see children from primary schools take part in a live-streamed sing and sign along.
They will perform Connected Together, a special commissioned song which promotes positive mental wellbeing, and will be supported by a live band from Resonance at the Waterfront. Thousands of children have taken part in the past.
During the week, a new website called iZone will launch too. This has been a project led by Dudley CVS, with the involvement of Dudley’s Young Health Champions, and supported by Dudley Council’s public health team.
The new website will provide a digital online guide where teenagers can find information about health and wellbeing services specifically for them.
Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people, said:
As a borough that strives to be child friendly, it’s wonderful to see an event taking place that supports the health and wellbeing of our children and promotes positive mental health.
“I’m also pleased to see we’re launching iZone, thanks to the support of Dudley’s Young Health Champions. It’s really important we provide information in a way that suits young people, and this is why it’s so valuable they are given the opportunity to have their voices heard and are able to influence projects like this.
Dudley’s Young Health Champions is an initiative run by Dudley CVS, on behalf of Dudley Council. It gives young people aged 11 to 25 the power and training to raise awareness in their community about health-related topics. They also help shape and improve future services by giving feedback to decisionmakers.
Further support around mental wellbeing is also available on the Happier Minds website. Happier Minds is a website to help young people, parents, carers and professional find information about mental health in the borough. For more information go to https://happierminds.org.uk/
Young people can visit iZone at www.izone.org.uk and also find out more information about becoming a Young Health Champion.