Latest news with #Children'sMentalHealthWeek
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Missouri State Capitol lights up green for Mental Health Awareness Month
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome to shine green in recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Children's Mental Health Week also runs from May 4 to May 10. 'Approximately one in six children and youth have a diagnosable mental illness, and around 50 percent of individuals with lifetime mental health challenges first experience symptoms by age 14,' the governor's office said in a news release. The dome will be lit up green from Wednesday, May 7, until Thursday, May 8. Missouri's oldest resident, Mary Chesney, dies at 112 years old 'It's important to talk about mental health and the resources that are available for Missourians who need help and support,' Kehoe said. 'You are not alone if you struggle with mental health challenges.' Gov. Kehoe is proclaiming May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Missouri, and May 4 through May 10 as Children's Mental Health Week. 'May is a great time to shine a light on the importance of mental health,' said Valerie Huhn, Missouri Department of Mental Health Director. 'We're proud to see the Capitol dome lighted green this year for mental health awareness as we continue to share resources and support for Missourians.' If you are having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Veterans can press '1' after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Kansas City residents can find local mental health resources here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Gulf Today
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Book offers confidence-boosting tips for kids
DUBAI: Long-time Dubai expat and best-selling author, radio broadcaster, and mum of two, Helen Farmer, has launched her second children's book, 'My Family's Secret Superpowers.' The book, published by The Dreamwork Collective, explores how to cope with the anxieties of day-to-day life and offers tips to boost kids' confidence and alleviate their worries and fears. Following on from Farmer's best-selling debut book 'My Mummy's Secret Adventures,' the new heart-warming children's tale follows a young girl named Ruby, who realises that she sometimes feels nervous when doing new things. The story reveals that she's not alone, as her Mum, Dad, and big sister Olive share that they too have times when they don't feel so good. Ruby finds out what makes them worried, and together, they come up with strange and fun ways – their secret superpowers – to help them feel better. The book features charming illustrations by Pavithra Suresh and playful characters to help young readers discover Ruby's tips and tricks for untangling knots and feeling more confident. The publication was launched at this year's Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and unveiled at a community event for families last week during Children's Mental Health Week. Renowned for her authentic and relatable take on life and motherhood, Farmer juggles a career in broadcasting with her main role as a mum to her two daughters. She extended her portfolio of talents to children's literature last year, as a way to help parents broach tricky topics with their kids and start a conversation about things they might be struggling with. As anxiety continues to dominate as the primary mental health concern for young people, My Family's Secret Superpowers aims to reassure children that they're not alone with their worries and there are ways to overcome their concerns. Farmer said about her new book, 'Anxiety isn't something to be 'fixed' — it's something to be understood and managed. By talking openly, using simple techniques, modelling coping strategies as adults, and embracing the power of storytelling, families can help children build confidence and resilience. In doing so, they teach kids one of the most important lessons of all: It's okay to feel nervous, and they have the tools to handle it.'' My Family's Secret Superpowers, published by The Dreamwork Collective, is available at Helen Farmer is a BBC-trained broadcast journalist, juggling a career in broadcasting and writing with her main role as a mum to her two daughters.
BBC News
12-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
New boys aim to help Luton out of 'sticky situation'
Being part of a relegation battle is likely, you would assume, to give some players sleepless not so Thelo Aasgaard and Kal Naismith, who joined Luton Town during the winter transfer Hatters are next to bottom of the Championship, after being relegated from the Premier League last season, but former Wigan forward Aasgaard underplays any concerns, simply describing it as a "sticky situation".And as for Naismith, returning to the club he helped reach the second-tier play-offs in 2022 just "feels right".He told BBC Look East: "It's strange because the atmosphere the staff and players have created, it didn't feel that I was coming into a club that was down or low in confidence."The staff are bubbly and positive, and that's so important now and in the months ahead. It's important that when you come into your work every day it's a good environment, and it certainly feels like that."We know the challenge ahead. The Championship is a really unforgiving league - every match is tough - but we've got each other's backs and we're looking forward to it." Bloomfield still looking for first win Things have certainly not gone to plan at Kenilworth Road this summer, former manager Rob Edwards expressed confidence that he had a squad with the quality to challenge again at the top of the table, having guided them to promotion in 2023. But a run of 10 successive away defeats led to his departure on 9 January, and five days later Matt Bloomfield was appointed, leaving League One promotion hopefuls Wycombe to oversee the Luton rescue has been rapid since then with five players signed, including Aasgaard, for an undisclosed fee from Wigan Athletic, and Naismith, on loan from Bristol City, with two going out on results have yet to pick up, with two draws and two defeats in their past four games - though their depressing run on the road was ended with a point against Sheffield Wednesday at are away from home again on Wednesday evening when they make the trip to fourth-placed Sunderland, who are unbeaten at home and have not lost in their past seven games, winning four. But Aasgaard believes previous experiences with Wigan, for whom he scored in a 2-1 Championship win against Luton in September 2022, will help him adjust quickly after stepping up a played 87 minutes against Sheffield Wednesday on his debut, and told BBC Look East during a school visit for Children's Mental Health Week: "I hope I can bring some quality on the pitch, and try and be a leader in my own way. "I want to take my skillset into the squad and help us get out of a sticky situation. There's a lot of quality in the changing room - I have no doubt we'll do that."The 22-year-old added: "I have had quite a few seasons at Wigan when things didn't go right - my first professional season there was a tough one, but I feel I can thrive in these pressured situations. "That's when you find out who's got the mental strength, and I like to think I can come through that and help my team-mates as well." Luton 'the right place' for Naismith Bloomfield had a close-up view of Aasgaard's ability when Wycombe played at Wigan in November, and regards him as "technically very, very good".He is also impressed by the Norwegian's versatility, and said on signing him: "Thelo can play as a 10 but can play as an eight or on the left, so he's adept at playing in a variety of positions."The Luton manager has an equally high regard of Naismith, who is 10 years Aasgaard's senior, and replaced his new team-mate for the final few minutes at Hillsborough this month - his first game since early will have the task of helping shore up a defence that has conceded 49 league goals, the fourth-highest total in the Championship - only Plymouth (63), Portsmouth (54) and Cardiff (51) have let in Naismith, who began his career in Scotland with Rangers, is just happy to be back despite the circumstances."It feels amazing. That first day driving back through the gates again, it felt calm - the right place," he said. "I knew it was the right place for me the first time. Life took me on a different route, I never make things easy for myself, but I am just so grateful to get a second chance. "I was worried and there are lots of emotions and nerves about coming back and how it would be, but everyone has been so welcoming - it feels right." Following the Sunderland game, Luton have two at home against Sheffield United and Plymouth, then the M1 derby at Watford on 23 February - a match which could be crucial to their survival hopes."They're the games you want to be involved in; they're the games in which to showcase your talents," said Aasgaard."I think we'll be in a really strong place by then. There's a lot of new signings but I feel we've gelled together really well."
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Teacher overwhelmed as he braves the shave for pupils mental health
A CITY teacher is overwhelmed after braving the shave for pupils' mental health. Benjamin Holman, who teaches at North Worcester Primary Academy, has raised money to support pupils suffering from mental health problems like depression. The year five teacher was cheered by pupils as he had his locks shaved off during a school assembly on Wednesday by headmaster Stuart Grimes. READ MORE: Moment thief kicks down door to steal e-bike leaving victim unable to work Benjamin Holman with headmaster Stuart Grimes after the shave. (Image: North Worcester Primary Academy) Mr Holman has so far raised £1,000 for Place2Be - a school-based mental health charity, providing support to children, families and school-based staff when they need it most. He said: "I am truly overwhelmed by everyone's generosity and support – donations from friends, family, colleagues, pupils, and the wider community mean so much. "I cannot believe we've raised over £1000! READ MORE: Police with speed cameras on busy Worcestershire road after consistent issues Mr Holman after the first part of his hair was shaved. (Image: North Worcester Primary Academy) "It is worth braving the cold head! "The children of North Worcester Primary were fantastic in showing their support during the live shave - their cheers and applause kept me smiling throughout! READ MORE: Teenagers illegal e-scooters seized after riding them inside supermarket "Children's mental health is incredibly important, and every contribution helps make a difference. "Thank you all for your amazing support." Mr Holman's Just Giving page can be found here. Figures provided on Mr Holman's Just Giving page highlight how one in five children and young people now have a diagnosable mental health issue. This equates to six children in every classroom with a condition like depression or anxiety. The headshave was also filmed so audiences could watch Mr Holman's grimace as he gradually became bolder. Students can be heard cheering him on and supporting him through the challenge. The head shave was done during the school's Children's Mental Health Week. A spokesperson for North Worcester Primary said: "Did you know that 1 in 5 children experience mental health difficulties and can wait an average of 10 years before receiving any help or support? "This is simply not ok, and at North Worcester, we believe that children should have access to the support they need to build life-long coping skills and strategies to thrive. Benjamin Holman covered in shaving cream. (Image: North Worcester Primary Academy) "By donating to this fantastic cause, we create a positive change together." Place2Be is a children's mental health charity that works to improve the emotional well-being of children and young people. It helps children cope with wide-ranging and often complex social issues, including bullying, bereavement, domestic violence, family breakdown, neglect and trauma.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ways to help support your child's mental health
(WGHP) — This week is Children's Mental Health Week. It's devoted to helping children be mentally fit and free from anxiety and depression. In Mommy Matters, we look at some ways you can support your child's mental health. Show your child unconditional love. Let them know that no matter what, you love them. You want them to feel secure and know they can depend on family. Let them know you'll love them regardless of what they accomplish or what they may fail at. Always encourage them to try again. Support your child's self-esteem. Praise their efforts; not their achievements. Again, it's OK to fail. Just try again. Encourage your kids to try new things but do set realistic goals. You can't expect them to become a champion figure skater overnight. Block time in your child's schedule for play. They need to have some fun. They need playmates and they need playtime with their parents too. Children learn through play, so don't treat it as a frivolous time. Play is an important learning experience as well as a fun time. Be Firm and consistent with discipline. Don't nag your children, don't threaten, and don't bribe. Be clear and concise about what you expect and what the consequences will be if children don't listen. Then they'll know what to expect from you. Provide a safe and secure home for your children. Talk to your children about their fears and find out the root cause. And no matter how trivial their fear may seem, don't make fun of it. The monster under the bed is real to a child. Help ease their fear by leaving a night light on. Make them feel secure. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
