Hello Yellow

10th October 2025

Thank you all for embracing World Mental Health Day. It’s something that’s important and, in particular, a support for children and young people, many of them and you will have worn something in recognition of Hello Yellow.

For context and understanding, World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. There can be some modern day ‘poo pooing’ and challenges around the perception of ‘wokeness’. Remarkably this day was first recognised in 1992, at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health. That’s 37 years of international focus on the issue and the challenges of promoting a positive mental health – not a ‘5-minute fad’.

The issue for many of us is not wanting to find a way to recognise the day, it’s more about finding something yellow to wear, and when you do, being happy that you might not look that good in that colour. As a colleague said to me the other day, “no one really looks that great in yellow”. Well, you’ve all bravely found a piece of clothing, you’ve donned it for the day and then the particular item of clothing will be put back in the cupboard until 2026. That’s the case with my yellow tie.

More seriously, we do acknowledge that right now, the world can be a tough place for children and young people to grow up in. Those of us who spend a great deal of time around children and young people understand that many of our charges are feeling the pressure of modern living. In addition, we know that the covid years haven’t made that any easier.

Some would have it that we, the adults, should choose to ignore, refuse to believe or push aside the concerns of our children and young people. If we were to do that the consequences for the individual child or young person might be too frightening to contemplate. We don’t. And we know why. It’s no accident that all of our intuitions refer to resilience as a key skill; to promote and to develop. Like all skills, resilience needs to be practiced and honed. We don’t do that by ignoring the mental health issues our children and young people face, without promoting or teaching resilience. If we didn’t, we’d face storing up, and ultimately having to then deal with, potentially incredibly difficult behaviours in school or college, and longer term, unmanageable social challenges, as our young people become adults.

Educational provision in this country is not an either or. We cannot afford to teach either for academic outcomes or for self-improvement. We must face both those challenges head-on if we are to do the right thing by those for whom we care. I am proud to say that we do that. And embracing World Mental Health Day is a potent statement of our intentions, values and principles.

And what about you? Are you well? Are you looking after yourself? I hope that you can use this day as a reminder that your health and your mental health is important too. Every aspect of our health needs care and attention. We are all bound to get and stay fit; be that physically or mentally. That’s easier to say than do. I hope that you put as much time into your self-care.Those of you who play sport know that you need a training programme to get ‘match fit’. I wonder whether we all put as much time and energy into ensuring we are ‘match fit’ mentally too? Maybe not. If not, why not? And what can you do to ensure that you are ready to take on the greatest challenge of all – living a good, meaningful, purposeful, enjoyable and hopeful life.

Take some time for you. Talk to those who you care for about how you and they can work together to ensure they and you can stay fit for life and the challenges life throws at us all. Stay present and in the present, as that will support your fitness and will support the fitness of others; including your friends and colleagues.

‘A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health and deserves the same quality of support’. The Princess of Wales

‘My guiding principles in life are to be honest, genuine, thoughtful and caring’. Prince William

 And, by the way, you do look great in yellow, yes you do!