As a BAPT Registered Play Therapist I feel Mental Health Awareness week for me, is about reducing the stigma around play as a therapy and raises the opportunity to advocate for the youngest, most vulnerable voices in society who often cannot verbalise their inner worlds. Advocating for professional, specialised and accessible support for every child and young person so none have to face mental health issues alone.
Everyday Play Therapists have to demonstrate the truth and value in Play Therapy interventions. Validating play as a language, with toys as the words through which children express themselves, explore experiences and redefine outcomes. Processing trauma, anxiety and big emotions as they play, asserts therapeutic play alongside a BAPT Registered Play Therapist as an essential intervention in supporting children and young people’s mental health.
The importance of early intervention is often crucial and a play therapist recognises and emphasises that mental health starts in infancy. Seeking to raise awareness of addressing relational risks between children and their main care givers before they reach clinical diagnosis.
Mental Health Awareness week is a time to remind adults to ensure children have safe spaces where they feel loved, seen, trusted and understood. As a play therapist I encourage adults within the child’s world to follow the child’s lead in play, to support creativity, curiosity, emotional awareness and sense of self, thus encouraging positive mental health and growth.
Nurturing and growing a community around children, gives them a sense of belonging, connection and self through family, school, activities and friendships, which is a key part of sustained support and mental wellbeing.
Mental health awareness week and play therapy are both differing opportunities to grow emotional literacy early in childhood, supporting children in recognising and managing emotions such as happiness, anger, sadness, fear and calm. Helping them to find ways to positively express their big emotions, rather than becoming overwhelmed by them.
Let’s support, build awareness and change stigma around the mental health of children and the vital role Play Therapy can play in aiding children who are struggling with their mental health
Flourish & Play 