Kent pupils share mental health views at Maidstone event

Pupils from mainstream schools, special schools and Alternative Curriculum Provisions — settings that offer education outside a standard classroom — spent the day exploring mental health support, sharing their experiences and speaking directly with professionals. The event was organised by Kent County Council’s i-THRIVE and Participation Team and funded by NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board, and took place three days before World Mental Health Day on 10 October.

This year’s theme was “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change” — and the programme reflected that, mixing practical workshops on emotions, physical activity, healthy relationships and young people’s rights within mental-health services with games, drama and outdoor activities.

A marketplace brought together more than 30 organisations, among them Place2Be, We Are With You, Kooth and the Young Lives Foundation. A quiet area and therapy dogs were also available throughout the day for anyone who needed to step back from it all.

One of the more memorable stands came from Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, which brought snakes. Young people could meet and handle them safely — the trust uses reptile-assisted therapy as part of its work with children and young people at Kent and Medway Adolescent Hospital.

Alya Kakay, Chair of Kent Youth County Council and an elected member of the UK Youth Parliament, spoke about the importance of young people having a seat at the table on decisions that directly affect them, and about tackling mental-health stigma in schools.

Councillor Paul Webb, Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, said young people need both access to support and the confidence to manage challenges, overcome setbacks and make informed choices about their own wellbeing.

The council says the event is part of its ongoing work to give children and young people a voice in shaping the services designed to support them.