Knowing we belong helps us feel connected, valued, and accepted. This Children’s Mental Health Week, we want all young people to be able to say, ‘This is My Place’.

Place2Be is a leading school-based children’s mental health charity, helping pupils to manage challenges in their lives, equipping them with essential skills to thrive. This support empowers young people to flourish academically, socially, and personally – preparing them for success in school and future careers. As part of the DHL UK Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting underserved young people, our partnership with Place2Be addresses the inequalities and barriers that affect young people in their access to employment. Place2Be provides that vital support in secondary schools through expert guidance when they need it most. This helps young people to build resilience and thrive, providing a foundation for each of them to succeed in their futures.

Through our partnership, we are joining Place2Be in marking this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week theme, ‘This is My Place’, which explores the vital role of belonging in our mental health and wellbeing.

A sense of belonging – whether in our families, schools, peer groups, or wider communities – is a fundamental human need. It helps us feel secure, supported, and ready to learn and grow. When young people feel they truly belong, they are more likely to have positive mental health, build healthy relationships, and believe in their ability to make a difference.

Tommy’s story* demonstrates how important belonging is: Tommy was referred to Place2Be’s services as he was isolating himself and experiencing feelings of low self-worth and anxiety about school. He was completely disengaged from school, not leaving his bedroom when at home, and had stopped all extra-curricular activities, including football, which he previously enjoyed.

Tommy was willing to engage with Place2Be, and scored alarmingly high on his initial assessment indicating moderate to severe distress. Tommy and his Place2Be Counsellor then set his goals together: to build self-esteem, gradually re-engage with extra-curricular activities and developed a plan for him to make a phased return to school. In Tommy’s weekly counselling sessions, he demonstrated high levels of engagement and was eager to try out the skills and strategies discussed in his everyday life.

By his next assessment, Tommy’s score had improved. He began to leave his room more often, showed more interest in extra-curricular activities, and started to reconnect with his friends. In his final session, Tommy reported feeling ‘more like me’ and was ready and willing to return to school; His score had made further improvements, which put him back in the healthy range. Practical steps for Tommy’s reintegration into school were agreed upon: phased return to classes an initial reduced timetable and support from a designated teacher. Tommy is now attending school full time again, and most importantly is back to enjoying life and looking forward to the future.

Lindsey Shepard, Place2Be’s Assistant Area Manager for Scotland North, who was involved in supporting Tommy said:

“Place2Be’s Dundee Community Project has made a real difference for young people and families affected by Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA). By providing support outside of school, the project helped young people explore challenges in a safe, neutral space and take steps toward re-engaging with education.

Through collaborative work with families and schools, many young people began reconnecting with hobbies and peers, improving their wellbeing, and in some cases returning to school or moving on to positive destinations like college.”

Tommy’s story highlights how feeling part of our environment is a basic human need. It can have powerful and long-lasting impact in many areas of our lives, including our physical and mental health, education, employment and relationships. When we feel that we belong, it empowers us to contribute to the world and make a real difference.

This Children’s Mental Health Week, Place2Be is aiming to support the groups and systems surrounding our young people by encouraging peers, families, schools and community groups to create inclusive and nurturing environments. Young people should feel they belong and can confidently say: ‘This is My Place’.

* This is a composition case study representative of several of the young people Place2Be worked with, Tommy’s name and image have been changed to protect the identity of the children the case study is based on.