World Mental Health Day: How we support children’s wellbeing

Posted: 10th October 2026

An image shows children at SELFA holding up their drawings about emotions and feelings.

Having the right support at the right time can make a world of difference, especially to children and young people. That’s why at SELFA, we focus on helping children understand their emotions and feelings, build confidence, develop positive coping strategies and talk about worries.

At SELFA, we’re proud to provide a range of services that support children, young people and families across Craven. Through early intervention, one-to-one support, group programmes and family-focused activities, we aim to help young people build confidence, develop resilience and improve their emotional wellbeing.

Why is early support so important?

Children and young people can experience a range of challenges that affect their emotional wellbeing, including worries about school, friendships, difficulties managing emotions, bullying, change and more.

It is thought that around 75% of mental illnesses emerge before the age of 25 years, so early intervention and wellbeing support is essential. This can help children explore these feelings, build resilience and develop strategies before difficulties become more overwhelming.

At SELFA, our support is tailored to each child or young person. We recognise that everyone is different, so we work to understand individual needs and find the most appropriate support. Here’s what we offer:

One-to-one mentoring

Our mentoring service provides early intervention support for children and young people experiencing mild mental health difficulties. Through a series of planned, one-to-one sessions, the young person identifies an achievable target and works with a SELFA worker to develop practical strategies to help them reach it.

Sessions are delivered in schools and community settings across Craven for children and young people aged 4 to 25. Mentoring offers an opportunity to build confidence, work towards personal goals and develop skills to manage everyday challenges.

One-to-one Counselling

Sometimes, children and young people need a safe space to talk about their feelings and experiences. SELFA’s counselling service offers confidential, one-to-one therapeutic support. Sessions help children and young people explore their emotions, make sense of their experiences, develop coping skills and improve their emotional wellbeing.

Counselling is delivered in schools and community settings across Craven for children and young people aged 4 to 25.

Our approach is friendly, supportive and non-judgemental. We aim to create an environment where young people feel listened to, encouraged and able to talk openly, with confidentiality maintained subject to safeguarding responsibilities.

Wellbeing Warriors

Our Wellbeing Warriors programme is a ten-week group programme designed to develop emotional intelligence and help children build positive coping strategies. Delivered in small groups during the school day at primary schools across Craven, the programme gives children opportunities to explore their emotions and learn practical ways to manage them.

Through engaging activities and supportive sessions, children can develop a better understanding of their feelings, practise coping strategies and strengthen their emotional wellbeing. Learning these skills early can help children feel more confident when facing challenges, both now and as they grow.

We support parents and carers too

Young people’s wellbeing is closely connected to the wellbeing of the people around them. Parents and carers can also benefit from having a supportive space where they can share experiences, build connections and access help when they need it.

That’s why SELFA offers support for families as well as individual children and young people.

Parents Together

Being a parent or carer can bring many joys, but it can also come with challenges. Having people to talk to who understand can make a real difference.

Parents Together is SELFA’s free weekly support group for parents and carers. It provides a welcoming, informal space to enjoy a coffee, have a conversation and build a peer support network.

Parents Together takes place every Tuesday from 10am to 11.30am at Coopers Cafe Bar, Skipton. No need to book, just turn up!

Families Together

Families Together is a ten-week whole-family support programme for primary-age children and their parents or carers. It aims to strengthen family wellbeing, build confidence and give families practical tools they can use together at home.

The programme brings children and parents or carers together to develop their understanding of emotional wellbeing while also having opportunities to connect with other families.

Families Together takes place on Mondays from 4pm–5.30pm at Brooklands School in Skipton.

During the programme, children take part in our fun and engaging ten-week Wellbeing Warriors programme. In a safe and supportive environment, they can:

Understand and express their emotions.
Explore mindfulness and calming techniques.
Develop coping strategies for difficult feelings.
Build confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing.

While children attend their sessions, parents and carers can join a welcoming, informal group to meet other families, share experiences and connect with people who understand the joys and challenges of family life.

Places are offered to the family as a whole, helping everyone develop skills and strategies to support wellbeing at home.

How does SELFA find the right support for each child?

We understand that what works for one person may not be the right approach for another, which is why we offer a range of support options.

“We accept referrals directly via our website (for all provision) as well as the Youth in Mind website (for groups and mentoring) and the Invictus website (counselling),” says Lucy Lang, SELFA’s programme manager for mental health.

“If parents or young people are unsure of what support is best, then one of the SELFA mental health staff will happily talk through the different options and advise what we feel would benefit the most. We understand each young person is different and we will adapt our offer of support where we can to meet the needs of the young person.”

What can children and young people expect from SELFA’s mental health services?

Taking the first step towards support can sometimes feel daunting, particularly for a child or young person who is unsure about talking to someone new. Our experienced team aims to make that experience as comfortable and positive as possible.

“You can expect a friendly, supportive SELFA children and young person worker who is non-judgemental, a safe space, encouragement, confidentiality (with the exception of keeping young people safe), engaging discussions and activities and adaptable support.”

We are more than happy to answer any questions about our mental health services. Please contact admin@selfa.org.uk for a chat!