This week is Children’s Mental Health Week and the theme for 2026 is ‘This is My Place’, looking at the systems around children and young people that help them feel they belong.

Heriot’s aims to create a community where everyone can say ‘This is my place’. Citizenship classes help to develop self-esteem and confidence, positive attitudes and a sense of belonging; extra-curricular activities open the door to new interests, friendship groups and challenges; and the Pastoral Team are always there to offer extra support to any pupil who may be struggling.

Keep reading to learn more about some of the programmes that support our young people and ensure that Heriot’s is a place where everyone feels they belong.

Let’s Introduce Anxiety Management

Heriot’s has for a long time been ahead of the curve in delivering timely, effective and compassionate pastoral support.

One example of this is the affectionately known ‘LIAM’ programme (Let’s Introduce Anxiety Management); an evidence-based support for pupils with mild-to moderate levels of anxiety which is available to pupils from P5 to S6.

Pupils meet with a LIAM trained member of staff 1-1 or in a group for about 8 sessions to work through child-friendly resources provided by CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). Pupils learn to recognise signs of physical anxiety and adrenalin in their bodies, practise a variety of cognitive behavioural strategies (CBT) to manage this, and deal with any fears and worries. The programme is supervised by CAMHS clinicians and resources are shared with parents too. Well over 100 pupils have now benefitted from this intervention at Heriot’s.

Heriot’s staff were involved in helping to develop the initial programme with NHS Education for Scotland and CAMHS over 10 years ago, in early delivery of CBT approaches in school and in presenting at Holyrood for more mental health support in schools.

Building resilience in young people: Coping with Change and Loss

Seasons for Growth is a programme offered in both the Junior and Senior School looking at feelings surrounding change, loss, and bereavement. It takes the young people on a journey through the seasons of the year, relating each season to feelings they may experience during difficult times, building skills in recognising and managing emotions.

It gives young people the opportunity to:

• Learn about the effects of significant change in young people’s lives
• Examine how changes in family structure because of significant life events can be accompanied by a sense of loss
• Understand that it is normal to experience a range of emotions because of loss and change, and develop new skills in coping with these feelings and other reactions
• Appreciate and nurture an individual’s strengths and skills

Pupils themselves sign up for Seasons, and groups are facilitated by Heriot’s staff who are trained companions.  The real beauty of Seasons is the peer advice and support the pupils offer each other; their ability to hold space for each other, actively listen, and demonstrate compassion is heart warming.