As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Boots UK is delighted to announce its support of A Million & Me, a new £10 million impact programme developed by BBC Children in Need, to help make a difference to the emotional wellbeing of children aged 8-13.
More children than ever before are struggling with their mental health, with statistics suggesting that there are over one million children in the UK with a diagnosable mental health condition*. By providing expert information and giving children and adults the confidence to have conversations about mental wellbeing, the A Million & Me programme seeks to increase empathy and resilience and help prevent mental health problems developing in children.
As a Principal Partner to BBC Children in Need, Boots UK will be supporting the A Million & Me programme by enabling its colleagues to have a direct impact on the mental wellbeing of the children and families in their communities. With access to an eLearning module created in collaboration with children’s mental health experts at YoungMinds, Boots UK’s colleagues can encourage parents and carers to have positive proactive conversations with children about mental wellbeing and lay the foundations for strong mental health for a future generation.
In addition to the eLearning module, Boots UK has worked in collaboration with YoungMinds to create a customer leaflet, which is available in all Boots UK stores from 13 May 2019. Inside, customers will find positive information and advice on how to support their child’s mental wellbeing, information on the ‘five ways to wellbeing’, which is a proven set of evidence-based actions aimed at improving mental wellbeing**, and signposts to further resources and support. Customers can also find information online at boots.com.
Elizabeth Fagan, Senior Vice President and Non-Executive Chairman, Boots UK and ROI, said: “BBC Children in Need has been close to our hearts for 15 years, so we’re delighted to be supporting this new programme, which has life-changing potential. Through everyday conversations across our 2,500 stores***, our colleagues will be uniquely placed to help and encourage customers, as parents and carers, to feel more confident and supported in understanding the benefits of consciously thinking about their children’s mental wellbeing. Our colleagues can help these discussions become common place, while raising awareness of the support that’s available.”
Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need, said: “A Million & Me is the first in a series of impact programmes we are developing to address some of the most pressing issues affecting the UK’s children and young people today. A Million & Me recognises that early conversations are an important part of supporting children and young people with their emotional wellbeing and by bringing together a number of committed partners, who will deliver a range of innovative and evidence-based projects supporting children’s wellbeing right across the UK, we can make a real and lasting difference to children and young people’s mental health.”
* Based on the NHS Digital, Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2017(2018)
** https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/five-ways-to-mental-wellbeing
*** Figures as of August 31, 2018 excluding equity method investments