World Mental Health Day: Early help that helps children belong at school
At AllChild, World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a reminder that timely, relationship-based support can change a young person’s every day - in the classroom, at home and with friends.
When Chloe started secondary school, the busy classroom felt overwhelming. Noise made it hard to focus and triggered her sensory sensitivities; friendships didn’t quite stick, and she began struggling with her mental health. Over time, worries about how she looked and what others thought began to chip away at her confidence.
That changed when Chloe met her AllChild Link Worker. With a safe, steady adult to talk to, Chloe began to share how she was feeling.
Together with Chloe’s family, the AllChild team put additional support in place. They worked closely with her mum, who welcomed the partnership and engaged openly in every step. An Early Help assessment helped everyone understand what Chloe needed most, and over time, her mum noticed the difference: Chloe seemed more confident, calmer, and happier to go to school again.
“With AllChild, I know someone has my back.” — Chloe
Recognising that Chloe’s confidence and peer relationships were key areas for growth, her Link Worker also connected her with Girls Out Loud - a programme designed to build self-esteem, confidence, and resilience, and to help young girls navigate the pressures of social media.
Early results
- Attendance: up to 91.6% (a +6.9pp rise year-on-year).
- Wellbeing: fewer crises; more calm, confidence and connection.
- Belonging: school feels safer and more manageable, a place to learn, not just to survive.
As Chloe moves into Year 9, her Link Worker will keep working alongside her and her family, building on what’s working and stepping in early when things wobble.
Why this matters
Half of lifetime mental health problems start by the mid-teens. Early, relational support - in school and with families - prevents problems from escalating and helps children stay engaged in learning. That’s the AllChild approach: prevention, partnership, early results.
How we help
- Consistent, in-school Link Workers children can trust
- Practical coping strategies and safe spaces in the school day
- Early Help assessments and joined-up plans with families
- Targeted programmes to build confidence and peer connection
Work with us
If you’re a school or local partner interested in bringing AllChild to your area, we’d love to talk. https://www.allchild.org/contact
A note on safeguarding and privacy
Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy. This story reflects a composite of real experiences from our programme.
