Top tips: Occupational Therapy for Children’s Mental Health.

Jordanna Hirst
11 hours ago
3 min read

Four young children running outside. They are smiling. Having a movement break.

By Jordanna Hirst, Head of Occupational Therapy, bMindful Psychology

Children’s Mental Health Week: An Occupational Therapy Perspective for Teams

Children’s Mental Health Week is a timely reminder that every child’s mental health matters - not just for a week, but every day. As professionals working in schools, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), or youth services, we are in a unique position to notice, support, and nurture children’s wellbeing in ways that are meaningful and practical.

From an occupational therapy perspective, mental health and everyday participation are deeply intertwined. How a child moves, plays, learns, and interacts can directly affect their emotional regulation, attention, and overall wellbeing. Let’s explore how teams can take small, impactful steps to support children’s mental health.

Five ways to support children’s mental health – top tips and ideas you can use today!

1. Recognise Regulation Needs

Many children communicate their mental health needs through their bodies rather than words. Fidgeting, restlessness, withdrawal, or avoidance are often not “bad behaviour” but signals of stress, anxiety, or overwhelm.

Team tips:

Build predictable routines and transitions.
Include regular movement or sensory breaks throughout the day.
Observe without immediate judgement, what is the child’s body trying to tell you?

2. Make Wellbeing Practical and Visible

Mental health support is most effective when it is embedded into daily activities, not just in isolated “wellbeing lessons.”

Examples for teams:

Standing or walking meetings for small groups.
Opportunities for choice in tasks or learning spaces.
Incorporating calming or alerting activities before exams, assemblies, or transitions.

Even small adjustments can help children feel more competent and regulated, which positively affects mood, attention, and social engagement.

3. Collaborate With Children, Not Just About Them

A neurodiversity-affirming approach recognises children are experts in their own experiences. Mental health support works best when it is co-created.

Team strategies:

Ask children what helps them feel calm, focused, or happy.
Offer two or three movement, sensory, or organisational options rather than directives.
Encourage self-advocacy and reflection, even young children can identify patterns in what helps them regulate..

4. Consider the Environment

The spaces we provide have a huge impact on mental health. Overstimulating or chaotic environments can make children more dysregulated, while calm, predictable spaces support focus and emotional wellbeing.

Suggestions for teams:

Quiet corners or low-stim zones for breaks.
Flexible seating or standing desks.
Outdoor learning and movement opportunities.

Small environmental adjustments can have a surprisingly big impact on how children manage stress and engage with learning.

5. Support Staff Wellbeing

We cannot pour from an empty cup. Teams that look after their own mental health are better able to support children effectively.

Ideas:

Build micro-breaks into the day.
Share regulation strategies among staff (stretching, deep breathing, short walks).
Encourage reflection on emotional load and team support needs.

When staff feel seen and supported, children’s wellbeing improves too - modelling healthy self-regulation and coping strategies.

What can Occupational Health teach us?

Children’s Mental Health Week is a reminder to pause, reflect, and embed mental health into everyday practice. Occupational therapy teaches us that small, practical interventions - movement breaks, choice, supportive routines, and environmental adjustments can have a significant impact on a child’s emotional and social wellbeing.

As a team, think about:

What opportunities for regulation can we embed into every day?
How can we co-create solutions with children?
How can we support each other so we can better support them?

Every small step matters. When we notice, respond, and plan with understanding, we create environments where children and young people can truly thrive not just this week, but all year round.

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