Anna Freud

19/02/2026

We know that racism can have a lasting impact on people's mental health. But did you know it can also affect young people's ability to thrive in education?

On top of this, young people from racially minoritised backgrounds can face more barriers than others in getting the support they need.

Education staff, come to our webinar and explore how anti-racist approaches can strengthen mental health and wellbeing in education.

We’ll share ways to embed belonging and inclusion at the heart of school and college culture.

What previous guests have said:

💜 "So good to see a diverse panel with a range of professional and personal experience"
💜"Clear, knowledgeable speakers."
💜"Really thought-provoking."
💜"Great mix of research and practical application."
💜"Inspirational."

Book your ticket: https://orlo.uk/XGb3l

18/02/2026

Do you support a person with a learning disability?

Join our free online course with Stephen Unwin, inspired by his bestselling book “Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong”.

In this course, Stephen shares his lived experience of love and care. He’ll help families and support networks to reflect on power, language and systems. And he’ll talk about how to support people with learning disabilities in a way that respects their values and puts them at the centre of their own care.

The sessions are open to families of people with learning disabilities and their support networks in England.

https://www.autismcentral.org.uk/events/supporting-people-learning-disabilities-live-good-lives-march

13/02/2026

Our “So What?” seminar series builds the bridge between evidence and practice in children and young people’s mental health. Each seminar, we ask "So what does this mean?" in response to research findings.

In the next session, we’ll explore what meaningful involvement of lived experience experts in research looks like in practice.

This webinar is for anyone interested children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. This includes researchers, policymakers and practitioners working in mental health services, schools and community settings.

Young people, parents and carers are also welcome to join us.

💜 24 March
💜 17:30
💜 Free

Sign up: https://orlo.uk/S1jL6

12/02/2026

There's been a troubling shift in the UK, with increasing reports of far-right, xenophobic and racist incidents.

Here at Anna Freud, we’re concerned that the current divisive climate is spilling over into classrooms. It’s impacting the wellbeing of young people, particularly those from minoritised communities.

Teachers often tell us they lack confidence in starting conversations about racism and discrimination.

Some ways to start this could be:

Plan discussion content in dialogue with other school staff, like in an EDI working group.

Empower students to lead conversations. Lessons like RSHE or citizenship are a good starting point for conversations and activities as well as tutor time or student-led assemblies.

Plan time and space for safe conversations. You could create a class contract that includes how students can signal they need time out, and offer debriefs after discussing difficult topics.

Make trips to museums to start conversations about discrimination.

Our expert Natalie has shared more for secondary schools in SecEd: https://orlo.uk/tdQqK

And primary school staff, check out more ideas for you in HeadTeacher Update: https://orlo.uk/oKnLu

12/02/2026

It’s Children’s Mental Health Week and this year’s theme is “This is my place”, supporting systems around children and young people to help them feel they belong.

In her latest blog post, Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou, Chair of Autism Central, England’s National Peer Education Programme, reflects on her personal experiences growing up as a neurodivergent child and teenager and the importance of belonging as the foundation for mental health. Read Georgia's blog post: https://orlo.uk/R9NS6

10/02/2026

We’re rolling out new training to improve neurodivergent children and young people’s wellbeing in schools and help them feel they belong.

We estimate more than 10,500 neurodivergent students will benefit from the programme – called Neurodiversity and Wellbeing in Schools - over three years.

Our expert Roisin said: “Too many neurodivergent students are experiencing barriers to education, which can cause mental health challenges.

“This training aims to empower schools to become more inclusive and compassionate, celebrating difference.

“It’s been a joy to see the schools we worked with through the pilot make changes that are having a real impact on everyone in the school community.”

The training is available free for state school staff from primary and secondary schools in the UK.

The theme for Children’s Mental Health Week this week focuses on the importance of children and young people feeling a sense of belonging, in their schools, communities and homes. We want all neurodivergent school students to feel like they belong just as much as neurotypical children.

Read more: https://orlo.uk/jkGE8

09/02/2026

This Children’s Mental Health Week, our CEO, Professor Eamon McCrory, talked to HuffPost about ‘social thinning’ and how the shrinking of children and young people’s social worlds is a “key factor” behind rising mental health problems.

He said: “In recent years, there have been dramatic changes to children and young people’s social worlds. Many have less opportunities for play, to form relationships and take risks...

“Research indicates that deprivation of social connection can have developmental consequences, and over time, an increased risk of mental health difficulties.”

Nana Owusu, our Head of Clinical services, shared some ways parents and carers can help children and young people build a sense of belonging:

💜 Showing children how you build community: from greeting neighbours and offering help, to maintaining relationships and taking part in local events.
💜 Regularly spending time together as a family
💜 Agree boundaries for both their physical and digital worlds, to ensure belonging doesn’t come at the expense of safety, while giving them agency
💜 Open, kind communication

Read the article: https://orlo.uk/AmxOl

Children's social worlds are shrinking – and experts are worried about the repercussions of that.

09/02/2026

It’s Children’s Mental Health Week, and this year’s theme is ‘this is my place’, centring on belonging.

We know that feeling you belong has a massive impact on children’s wellbeing. Healthy relationships are a big part of this, so we place relationships at the heart of our work. From our direct clinical interventions to the evidence-based resources we create for education staff and the wider children’s workforce, we create environments where children, young people and families feel safe and can feel like they belong. Find out more: https://orlo.uk/wkAdD

06/02/2026

How can parents and carers best support autistic young people in ways that honour their needs, strengths and autonomy?

Join us for a free online session with Olive Kayongo to explore the unique moments of joy, trauma and advocacy that shape our journeys as parents of autistic children and young people.

Olive is a neurodivergent mother of autistic children, a parenting practitioner, speaker and content developer, and group education co-facilitator for England's National Autism Peer Education Programme.

This session is part of our free Autism Central webinar series.

Book your place:
https://orlo.uk/AMB2L

05/02/2026

Our scientific conference will bring together experts in child development, developmental neuroscience, clinical psychology and psychiatry to share the latest research findings and discuss their relevance for clinical practice with children and young people.

Limited 20% discounted early bird places are available on a first come, first served basis.

Find out more and book now: https://orlo.uk/475w5

05/02/2026

Every young person deserves to feel safe, supported and represented at school.

This week is Race Equity Week. School staff, we have just updated our free e‑learning course to help you understand the mental health impact of racism and how to take positive action.

The course goes through practical school‑wide strategies like:

🧠 Developing staff knowledge and awareness
🧠 Changing policies and employment practices
🧠 Increasing representation in the curriculum
🧠 Involving students, parents and carers in learning

Join the learning: https://orlo.uk/gHqZU

04/02/2026

A strong sense of belonging is so important for school children’s mental health and shaping how they see themselves.

Children’s Mental Health Week is coming up on 9-13 Feb!

This year’s theme, “This is my place”, focuses on belonging.

This theme encourages schools to explore what helps children feel part of something, whether that’s in family life, friendships, school or the wider community.

Education staff, to help you plan we’ve created a free toolkit filled with practical resources and activities.

We hope you find it useful as you continue to build a culture where all pupils feel they belong. https://orlo.uk/bJKG9