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'This Is My Place' – Mental Health Support for Secondary Schools
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week encourages schools to reflect on how they support young people’s mental health, wellbeing and sense of belonging.
This year’s theme, 'This is my place', highlights the importance of school as a space where young people can feel safe, supported and able to be themselves. For many, school offers stability, connection and a sense of belonging.
We're encouraging secondary schools to take part in Shine Bright, Glow Yellow. Through this campaign secondary schools can take part in awareness and fundraising activities that promote mental health, reduce stigma and give students a 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, giving students a visible way to show solidarity, support and belonging while raising awareness of mental health.
2. Student-led fundraising
Empower student-led fundraising such as bake sales or events organised by school councils, wellbeing groups or student leadership teams. Give students ownership over chosen activities.
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 Mood Matters Young People resources and student messages about what makes school their place.
Free downloadable resources to get you started down below in the next section ⬇️
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
As part of our Mood Matters Young People programme, AWARE NI offers a range of free, downloadable mental health resources designed specifically for post-primary students.
These resources support schools to:
- Encourage open and informed conversations about mental health
- Help young people understand their emotions and wellbeing
- Signpost students to support in a clear, age-appropriate way
Young people's mental health factsheet
An easy-to-use factsheet covering common mental health challenges, help-seeking and where to find support. Suitable for sharing with students during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
A4 where to get support poster
A clear, visual poster highlighting support options for young people, ideal for classrooms, corridors and wellbeing noticeboards
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 Mood Matters Young People programme
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
