
Supporting mental health

Behind the bandana
Find out why Pudsey has removed his bandana during mental health awareness week.
The world can be a worrying place and the past few years have been especially difficult for children and young people. Our mental health hub takes a look at how your donations are supporting children and young people through increasingly difficult times and offers free support you can access for your family at home.

by Jessica Middleton
Insight Manager,
BBC Children in Need
We know that challenges, uncertainty and pressure is weighing heavily on children and young people across the UK. The pandemic had a big impact on their lives, many children and young people missed out on school and social activities which has affected their mental health.
Now the cost of living crisis is making things even more difficult. Many children and young people are missing out on the basics and experiencing increased pressure, worry and uncertainty. All of these challenges can harm children and young people’s life chances and their ability to thrive.

The projects supported by BBC Children in Need tell us that things are getting harder.
- 91% believe that mental health is the biggest challenge facing children and young people today
- 93% believe that the situation regarding children experiencing mental health issues is only going to get worse
- 89% expect children will find it more difficult to access mental health support in the coming year
- 87% say that the proportion of children they support who are experiencing poor mental health is increasing
Fay visits TEAM to learn how teamwork can boost wellbeing
Watch Fay, star of BBC show The Traitors, on a visit to BBC CiN-funded project TEAM as she learns how basketball is used to develop teamwork and self-esteem and joins in with fun basketball-themed challenges.
Through projects we fund for children and young people in the UK...

179,000
have stronger self belief

152,000
have stronger emotional wellbeing

83,000
are more empowered
Find mental health information and support

Family Moodboosters to try at home
Famous faces from across the BBC and beyond including Dr Ranj Singh, Oti Mabuse, Ade Adepitan MBE, Rhys Stephenson and Bethany Shriever MBE lead videos to inspire everyone at home to boost their mood, feel good, and use movement to help them understand their emotions and manage feelings together as a family.

Keep up to date on all the latest news
With inspirational stories from project workers and families, and updates on children you’ve met before.