Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 · 11–17 May 2026

The theme is Action.
Here’s 5 days of it.

A free, ready-to-run primary classroom kit for Mental Health Awareness Week 2026. Five daily themes built around the Mental Health Foundation’s “Action” theme — with an assembly script, KS1 and KS2 activity ideas, a parent letter and a wellbeing resources directory. Print, copy, adapt — or just open it on your IWB and run.

Open the 5-Day Plan → Skip to Assembly Script
Mental Health Awareness Week 2026
Monday 11 May — Sunday 17 May
Theme
Action — Every Action Counts
EYFS – Y6Whole-school ready
5 daysOne theme per day
~14 minsAssembly script (10 slides)
FreeNo sign-up needed
Spark2 workshop in action with primary school children

Share this kit with your team

Print, copy or send to a colleague — everything's free to use, no sign-up needed.

How it slots into MHAW · 11–17 May 2026

Whole-school moments & class-level activities

Whole-school — fixed times
Mon 9:00am
Assembly — "Look After Your Mind"
Whole school in the hall. Run the assembly slideshow + read the script aloud. ~14 min.
Daily, 1 min
Box-breathing 60-second reset
Right after morning register or before lunch. Four counts in, hold, out, hold. Builds the habit.
Fri afternoon
Reflective close — "Small actions, every day"
5–10 minutes. Children name one action they'll keep using. Optional pledge wall.
In your classroom — whenever fits your timetable
10–15 min
Daily action card (Mon–Fri)
Each teacher slots the day's action in whenever fits — circle time, after lunch, end of day.
20–30 min
KS1 — feelings collage / weather wheel
Slot in once during the week. Doubles as quiet creative time.
30 min
KS2 — coping toolkit / 5-finger trusted adults
Slot in once during the week. Doubles as a quiet writing / PSHE lesson.
📅

The 5-Day Action Plan

One theme per day. One small action that fits in any classroom. No prep beyond reading the card.

⚠️ Safeguarding first — read before you run the week. Activities like these commonly surface disclosures. Brief your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and pastoral team before the week starts. If a child discloses something: listen, don’t promise confidentiality, record what was said, and pass it to the DSL the same day, in line with KCSIE and your school’s policy. Watch quietly for the child who can’t name a trusted adult — that silence is important information for your DSL. Keep trusted-adult lists in school, offer private alternatives to any public emotion-sharing, and let children opt out of breathing exercises if breath-focus feels uncomfortable.
Mon · Day 1

Recognise

Action: Notice & Name

Children learn that mental health is something everyone has — just like physical health. The first action is simply to notice.

Try this: Emotion check-in at the start and end of the day. Each child names 1 emotion they’re feeling right now. No judgement, just naming. Always allow a “pass” or a private written check-in instead.
Tue · Day 2

Move

Action: Move Together

Movement is a mental-health action, not just a physical one. The class takes one shared movement break together — even if it’s just standing up.

Try this: 5-minute “wake up the body” movement break, twice today. Stretches, march on the spot, or a walk around the playground.
Wed · Day 3

Connect

Action: Reach Out

Talking helps. Children practise small connections — greeting someone they don’t usually speak to, or asking a friend how they’re doing.

Try this: 1-minute partner check-in. “How are you today, on a scale of 1–5?” That’s it. Just listening. Then swap.
Thu · Day 4

Tools

Action: Try a Strategy

Children learn one simple coping tool they can use any time, anywhere. Practising it together makes it familiar before they need it.

Try this: Box-breathing as a class. In-2-3-4, hold-2-3-4, out-2-3-4, hold-2-3-4. Repeat 4 times. Quiet, calm, surprisingly powerful. If breath-focus feels uncomfortable for any child (it can, for some anxious children, or with asthma), let them sit quietly or count heartbeats instead.
Fri · Day 5

Help

Action: Tell Someone

The most important action: knowing who to talk to. Children identify their “trusted adults” and practise asking for help out loud.

Try this: Each child writes the names of 3 trusted adults they could talk to if they were worried. Keep in their book in school. If a child can’t name three adults, that’s important information — follow up gently and tell your DSL.
📢

Assembly Script — reads from the slides

Whole-school assembly to launch the week. ~14 minutes, mapped slide-by-slide to the classroom presentation. KS1 + KS2 together.

10 slides · ~14 minutes · Reception–Year 6
Slide 1
~1 min

Welcome & introduce the week

Open with the title slide. Read the hero copy.

“Good morning. This week is something special — it’s called Mental Health Awareness Week, and it happens once a year all around the country. Everyone has a mind. Just like our body, our mind needs looking after. This year’s special word is Action — and that’s what we’re going to learn this week.”
Slide 2
~1.5 min

Your Inside Weather

Use the weather metaphor. Hands-up question at the end.

“Imagine your mind is a sky. Sometimes it’s sunny — you feel happy and clear. Sometimes there are clouds — maybe you’re a bit worried, or tired. Sometimes there’s a storm — everything feels too much. Mental health is the weather inside our heads. And just like the weather, it can change. Hands up if your weather is sunny right now... cloudy... stormy. All of those are okay.”
Slide 3
~1.5 min

Everyone Has Feelings

Run through the 6 emotion tiles. Body-mapping question.

“Emotions are signals. They tell us something. The first action is to notice them and name them. When we feel each one of these, we feel them in different places in our body. Where do you feel happy? Tummy? Chest? Where do you feel worried? Different feelings show up in different places.”
Slide 4
~2 min

Small Actions Help

Walk through the 4 actions: Breathe, Move, Talk, Help. Pause briefly on each tile.

“When the inside weather gets cloudy or stormy, here are 4 small actions you can try. They’re free, they take seconds, and they often help. And if the small actions aren’t enough, that’s not your fault — that’s when telling a trusted adult matters most. Breathe — slow breaths in and out, calms your body in seconds. Move — a walk or stretch changes how your mind feels. Talk — tell someone how you’re feeling. Help — be kind to someone else, helping them helps you too.”
Slide 5
~2 min

Let’s Breathe Together

Lead the whole school in three rounds of box-breathing. Use the animated circle on the slide as your timer.

“We’re going to try one small action together right now. It’s called box-breathing. Sit up tall. Breathe in for 4 counts — 1, 2, 3, 4. Hold for 4 — 1, 2, 3, 4. Out for 4 — 1, 2, 3, 4. Hold for 4 — 1, 2, 3, 4. Let’s do that twice more. That’s a tool you have for free, forever, that no one can take away.”
Slide 6
~1.5 min

Champions Take Action — The Lionesses

Real story. Both Lioness cards. Connect to their action.

“In summer 2025 the Lionesses won the Women’s Euros — for the second time in a row. They didn’t just train hard. They looked after their minds. Some players kept journals during the tournament — writing down feelings, wins, worries. Millie Bright made the brave call to step back before the squad was named — she said she couldn’t give 100% physically and mentally. Honest action. Everyone respected it. Could you keep a journal this week? Could you speak up if something’s on your mind?”
Slide 7
~1.5 min

The Three Lions — Pressure at the Top

The Saka card + how the men’s squad look after their minds.

“When the men’s team play in a World Cup, the pressure is enormous. How do they cope? Same as the Lionesses — they look after their minds. Bukayo Saka missed a penalty at Euro 2020. He got help. He talked to people. He worked through it. Now he plays better than ever. The squad can talk to psychologists and support staff whenever they need to. Every player has someone to talk to. Even captains. Even superstars. When something goes wrong — what’s your action?”
Slide 8
~1.5 min

Asking for Help is Strong

Walk through the 4 trusted-adult tiles. End with the silent “think of 3 adults” exercise.

“When the storm is too big to handle on your own, the bravest action is to tell a trusted adult. That’s not weak — it’s the strongest thing you can do. Your family, your teachers, other adults you trust, or Childline — free to call any time on 0800 1111. Right now, quietly, in your head — think of three adults you could go to if you were worried. You don’t need to say them out loud. Just know who they are.”
Slide 9
~1 min

Your Mission This Week

Walk through the 5-day grid. Read the pledge together.

“Here’s your mission this week. Five days. Five small actions. Monday — notice and name 3 emotions. Tuesday — move your body. Wednesday — check in with a friend. Thursday — box-breathing three times. Friday — be kind to someone. Let’s read the pledge together: ‘This week, I will look after my mind. Every day. One small action.’”
Slide 10
~1 min

Mission Complete — pick one for today

Send children back to class with a single action commitment for the day.

“Small actions. Every day. That’s the whole secret of looking after our minds. Notice your inside weather. Try a small action. Talk to someone. Be kind. Ask for help when you need it. Right now, think of one small action you’ll do today. Not next week. Today. That’s how looking after our mind starts.”
✨

Classroom Activities

Two ready-to-go activities per phase. 30–45 minutes each. Materials are basic — paper, pens, maybe paper plates.

KS1 · EYFS–Y2

Emotion Paper Plates

Time: 30 minutes · Day: Best on Mon (Recognise)

Children draw 4 different emotion faces on paper plates — happy, sad, angry, worried. They use them to show how they’re feeling at different points in the day.

  1. Show 4 emotion faces on the board. Name each one together.
  2. Each child gets 2 paper plates and pens. They draw 2 emotion faces — one on each side.
  3. Throughout the day, children hold up their plate with the side that matches how they feel. Make it optional — children who prefer privacy can keep their plate face-down and tell you quietly instead.
  4. Class discussion: which emotion is showing up most? Why?
Materials: 2 paper plates per child, felt-tips, lolly sticks (optional, to make handles).
KS1 · EYFS–Y2

Breathing Buddies

Time: 20 minutes · Day: Best on Thu (Tools)

A calming, embodied way to teach belly-breathing. Children lie on their backs with a soft toy on their tummy and watch it rise and fall.

  1. Each child finds a quiet space on the floor and lies on their back.
  2. Place a soft toy (or a small bean bag) on their tummy.
  3. Breathe in slowly through the nose and watch the toy rise. Breathe out and watch it fall.
  4. Repeat 10 slow breaths. Practise daily for the rest of the week.
Materials: 1 soft toy or beanbag per child (children can bring from home).
KS2 · Y3–Y6

Strengths Inventory

Time: 45 minutes · Day: Best on Wed (Connect)

Children identify and share their personal strengths — building self-awareness and helping classmates see each other in a new way.

  1. Display a list of 30 strength words on the board (kind, brave, curious, patient, funny, etc.).
  2. Each child picks the 5 that describe them best, plus 5 they want to grow.
  3. In pairs, swap papers. Read your partner’s list. Add 2 strengths you see in them that they didn’t put down.
  4. Volunteers share one strength someone added to their list. Display the “class strengths wall” for the rest of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Materials: Strengths list (printable), one A5 sheet per child, working pens.
KS2 · Y3–Y6

Class Action Wall

Time: Set up Mon, add daily · Day: All week

A growing display where every child contributes one small mental-health action they tried each day. By Friday the wall shows 150+ actions and everyone reads what their classmates are doing.

  1. Mon: introduce the wall. Each child writes their one Mon action on a sticky note.
  2. Tue–Fri: each morning, children stick up yesterday’s action.
  3. Friday: read the wall together. Pick out 3 favourites. Discuss what surprised you.
  4. Take a photo of the finished wall. Send a copy home for parents in the Friday newsletter.
Materials: Sticky notes (different colours for different days), large piece of paper or display board, marker.
💬

Parent Communication Template

A short letter you can send home Monday morning, or paste into the school newsletter. Tells parents what we’re doing and how to extend it.

Letter / Newsletter Insert

Mental Health Awareness Week at [School Name]

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week (11–17 May) is Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme set by the Mental Health Foundation is Action — small steps we can all take to look after our minds.

In school, we’re running a 5-day plan with one theme each day: Recognise, Move, Connect, Tools, and Help. Children will learn what mental health means, practise simple coping strategies, and identify trusted adults they can talk to.

Continue the week at home:

We’ve put together a free at-home companion at spark2.org/at-home/look-after-their-mind. Four daily practices to do with your child — the dinner-table weather check, box breathing, the 5-finger family of trusted adults, plus six conversation starters for the school run. It’s aligned to the Look After Their Mind skill in Spark2’s Future Skills Passport, so you can keep building it long after this week ends.

If you ever have any concerns about your child’s mental health, please speak to [Class Teacher / PSHE Lead / Head]. Free UK helplines include YoungMinds Parents Helpline (0808 802 5544) and Place2Be.

With best wishes,
[Headteacher / PSHE Lead]

📚

Wellbeing Resources Directory

Children’s helplines, parent guides, and school-facing resources we trust.

Childline

Free support for under-19s

Confidential service for any child or young person. Can call, chat online, or email. Open every day, 24 hours.

0800 1111

childline.org.uk →

YoungMinds

Parent helpline & guides

Mental health support specifically for parents and carers. Helpline is free and confidential.

0808 802 5544

youngminds.org.uk →

Place2Be

School-based mental health support

Children’s mental health charity providing in-school counselling and free resources for teachers.

place2be.org.uk →

Mental Health Foundation

Mental Health Awareness Week campaign hub

Official campaign resources, downloads, and the latest from the Action theme. Updated daily during Mental Health Awareness Week.

mentalhealth.org.uk/maw →

Anna Freud

Mentally Healthy Schools

Free quality-assured mental health resources for primary schools. Lesson plans, assemblies, training.

mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk →

NSPCC

Speak Out, Stay Safe

Free school assemblies and workshops on knowing where to turn if something’s wrong.

Adult helpline — for adults worried about a child: 0808 800 5000

nspcc.org.uk →

Want more than a one-week kit?

Make ‘Look After Their Mind’ your school’s Action

Our “Look After Their Mind” workshop is a whole-school mental health day. A specialist facilitator spends the day with you. Every class — EYFS through Year 6 — gets their own age-appropriate session, with worksheets and a digital resource pack to keep using all year.

1,800+Schools delivered
383,000+Students inspired
EYFS–Y6Age-appropriate
Book a Look After Their Mind day →

Many other primary wellbeing & PSHE workshops also available — browse all here.

✉ Free monthly pack

Want a free Spark2 pack like this every month?

One free classroom-ready pack a month, straight to your inbox. Pick your subjects below — we'll only send what's useful for your role.

Coming September 2026 · Year 5/6 pilot live now

Make the lessons stick all year — not just this week.
Future Skills Passport for Schools.

Mental Health Awareness Week is a great spotlight, but wellbeing isn't a one-week subject. The Future Skills Passport gives Y5 and Y6 children a 45-minute weekly lesson across twelve life skills — including 'Look After Their Mind', 'Save a Life', 'Stay Healthy' and more — mapped to statutory PSHE today and ready for the 2028 curriculum changes.

  • All twelve subjects available right now in the Year 5/6 pilot
  • One 45-min slot a week · 36 weekly lessons across the school year
  • Auto-marked, statutory-PSHE coverage map, Ofsted-ready evidence pack
  • Free for the rest of the summer term — no card, no auto-renew
See how it works →