During the week of 3 – 7 February 2025, The British School in the Netherlands (BSN) celebrated Children’s Mental Health Week. An initiative of children’s mental health charity Place2Be, Children’s Mental Health Week takes place annually and aims to “empower, equip and give a voice to all children and young people” (Place2Be).
While each of our four campuses, Junior School Leidschenveen (JSL), Junior School Vlaskamp (JSV), Senior School Leidschenveen (SSL) and Senior School Voorschoten (SSV) hosted their own activities, it was the fourth time celebrating Children’s Mental Health Week as a cross-campus event, with collaborative elements.
Each year features a new theme, and this year’s was ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’:
Know Yourself, Grow Yourself will put a spotlight on how we can build resilience, grow and develop by understanding who we are and what makes us tick.
“The more we understand about ourselves, the better we're prepared to tackle life's ups and downs. By helping children and young people to understand and accept themselves, they start to build self-awareness. This allows them to develop the skills they need to cope with what life throws at them.” – Place2Be
Exploring Our Emotions
Junior School Leidschenveen embraced the theme ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’ with a wide range of age-specific activities throughout the week. These included PSHE (Personal, Social, and Health Education) and Wellbeing lessons, checking in with ourselves and exploring a range of emotions – how they make us feel, and what we can do with them.
Students also had the opportunity to grow their own ‘growing emotions’ cress heads in the brand-new JSL school garden, create a collaborative flower display about emotions, and participate in a special themed house art competition, producing some fabulous artwork!
 |  |
Events like Children’s Mental Health Week give students extra opportunities to shine; one example was during one of the week’s activities, ‘Pupil Bingo’, where a Year 1 student decided to speak for the first time – a special and proud moment for not only the student but also the Class Teachers and parents.
The week was rounded off with a ‘Dress to Express’ day where students were invited to come to school in clothes that reflected their passions, mood or whatever they felt best expressed who they are!
Taking Time to Self-Reflect
The week at Senior School Voorschoten began with assemblies that encouraged students to self-reflect: Who are you, and what’s important to you? Year 12 students led the assembly for lower school students. During tutor time, students created personal time capsules, stored in beautifully folded origami envelopes they made themselves.
On Wellbeing Wednesday, the atrium buzzed with student-led lunchtime activities, fostering a sense of community and support. The week’s activities provided valuable opportunities for students to reflect on their mental health and wellbeing in a supportive environment.
Collaborative Creativity and Connection
Many of the week's creative activities at Senior School Leidschenveen were purposely designed – thanks to the fantastic SSL Student Mental Health Ambassadors and Year 10 Prefects – to be done collaboratively.
 |  |
Highlights from the week included a Cultural Door competition, with students decorating their form’s door to reflect their identities, heritage, and values. Another highlight included a planting activity: each form received a seed, which were then planted to symbolise growth, care, and responsibility. In several weeks, the seeds will be replanted outside, creating a beautiful garden of plants on the SSL grounds and a lasting keepsake of the week.
Overall, the week was filled with creativity, reflection, and collaboration. It provided students with a valuable opportunity to explore the importance of mental health and connection with others.
“Thanks to the efforts of the Mental Health Team, SSL successfully created an environment where students could openly engage in conversations about their well-being while taking part in activities that will leave a smile on their face.” – Mariia & Madeleine, Year 12 Students - Digital Communications & Media Ambassador
Knowing Ourselves, Expressing Ourselves!
The Junior School Vlaskamp campus focused on wellbeing in many different ways. The week began with assemblies centred around the theme for all year groups. Daily playtime challenges, led by the JSV student Wellbeing and Sports Ambassadors, provided opportunities to boost physical and mental health while having fun! Additionally, students received homework focused on self-reflection, personal growth, and wellbeing.
Like Junior School Leidschenveen, JSV ended the week with a bang with their ‘Dress to Express’ day, and all students (and staff!) were invited to dress in any way they wished, for example, a passion or favourite hobby, what they would like to be when they grow up, or a favourite time in history – to name just a few! It was fantastic to see the JSV community share more about themselves in this way. This also coincided with Family Friday, with challenges and activities for both students and parents (who were invited to join in by ‘dressing to express’ themselves!).
 |  |
Thank you to…
Children’s Mental Health Week at the BSN wouldn’t be possible without our fantastic staff – both teaching and support staff – in particular, our cross-campus Wellbeing Team and Health and Wellbeing Coordinators, and, of course, our Student Wellbeing Ambassadors.
While the BSN prioritises student wellbeing and mental health year-round, Children’s Mental Health Week emphasises the importance of these topics in impactful ways through a variety of engaging and thought-provoking activities.
Thank you!
