6th to 12th February 2023 sees the return of Children’s Mental Health Week. As a Child and Family lawyer, it is important to be mindful of the impact on children when their parents are going through the process of separation, or when there are disagreements regarding ongoing childcare arrangements. Often children can become mixed up in discussions between their parents, who don’t necessarily agree on what is in their best interests. This can lead to feelings of conflict, anxiety or not being listened to. Whilst children may be looked at as resilient, this shouldn’t be confused with their inability to express their feelings. My mantra is ‘children should always be placed front and centre, never in the middle’. The Family Team at Harper Macleod strives to offer sound legal advice, with an emphasis on sensitivity and a collaborative approach. We are regularly instructed by separated parents, or caregivers, to resolve high-conflict disputes which require childcare arrangements to be resolved.

Organised by ‘Place2Be’, the UK’s mental health charity for children, Children’s Mental Health Week was first launched in 2015 with the aim of shining a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. Following that initial launch, the website – www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk – is dedicated to resources, guides and top tips to allow parents and caregivers to explore mental health and wellbeing with children and young people in a child-friendly manner. The chosen theme this year is ‘Let’s connect’. It is a perfectly chosen theme, especially as there is still a feeling of ‘emerging from the pandemic’ and ‘getting back to normal’. The intention is to build connections for everyone in order to improve and strengthen mental health to ensure that children thrive in their environment.

Engaging meaningfully with a child is critical in giving him or her a sense of belonging and building emotional connections. What they did at school, who their friends are or who they like to spend time with, are great conversational ways to interact with a child and give them a sense that they are the focus of your attention. The resources provided by ‘Place2Be’ are a great place to start. There is a dedicated section on their website which provides useful hints and tips about different ways to engage with children including activities, and short videos which cover children of all ages and stages of development.

Whilst it is the job of a Family and Child lawyer to steer clients through the legal process, the ‘human emotions’ element of a client’s case cannot go overlooked. I try to refer clients to resources which might assist them to ensure they maintain a positive relationship with their children as they themselves navigate through the separation process or discussions about childcare arrangements. A non-exhaustive list of the resources I usually call upon is below.

Good mental health is as important as good physical health.  Hopefully, Child Mental Health Week can highlight the importance of maintaining positive mental health for children throughout their childhoods, and the role parents and caregivers play in achieving that.

• SAMH – https://www.samh.org.uk/get-involved/going-to-be/information-help/children-and-young-people
• Children’s Health Scotland – https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/childrens-healthcare-rights/mental-wellbeing-in-children-and-young-people/
• CAMHS – https://www.gov.scot/publications/child-adolescent-mental-health-services-camhs-nhs-scotland-national-service-specification/ 
• Young Minds – https://www.youngminds.org.uk/