Building Stronger Foundations: A Landmark Week for Children’s Mental Health in Northern Ireland

Mon, 16 - February - 2026

There are moments when you can feel that something important is happening,  not just another conference, not just another training session, but a genuine shift in energy and intention.

Children’s Mental Health Week NI 2026 felt like that.

Hosted at Ulster University’s York Street Campus, this marked MindWise’s first large-scale event dedicated entirely to children and young people’s mental health. Over three days, educators, clinicians, youth workers, policymakers and advocates came together with one shared purpose: to build stronger foundations for the next generation.

At a time when demand for support continues to outpace provision, the theme could not have been more timely.

A major highlight of the week was welcoming Dr Daniel LeGoff, neuropsychologist and creator of LEGO®-Based Therapy, to Northern Ireland. With the approach now used in over 50 countries worldwide, Dr LeGoff delivered both introductory and advanced training sessions, alongside a keynote address that brought theory, research and lived experience together in a powerful way. Alongside Dr LeGoff, a series of respected keynote speakers added depth and perspective, sharing expertise in trauma, early intervention and systems-level change.

Watching professionals engage in hands-on learning, collaborate in structured play, and reflect on how to better support children’s social and emotional development was inspiring. The energy in the room was practical, purposeful, hopeful and proof that evidence-based innovation has a real place in shaping our mental health landscape.

Amy Stothers Children and Young People manager at MindWise, captured the spirit of the week perfectly when she said:

“This is about more than a single event. It’s about bringing people together to strengthen how we support children and young people across Northern Ireland. When we invest in early intervention, in evidence-based practice, and in collaboration, we’re playing a vital role in shaping a healthier future for generations to come.”

The partnership behind the week including Ulster University, Queen’s University, Agnew Group and AJ Toys, demonstrated what can be achieved when sectors unite around a shared goal.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt was also in attendance and reinforced the importance of sustained focus on children’s mental health:

“Mental health has been a key area of focus for me since taking up office. Supporting positive mental health is important throughout the lifespan, but particularly so among our children and young people. Recognising this, a number of important projects and pilots have been taken forward by my Department and others under the guise of the Children and Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Education Framework, collectively providing help and support to children and young people in relation to their emotional and mental health.

“In addition, £1m of Mental Health Strategy funding was allocated to support delivery of Early Intervention & Prevention (EI&P) actions, including support for the Early Intervention Support Service (EISS), which provides personalised, evidence based, short term support for families with children aged 0–18 years old to help offset emerging vulnerabilities.

“I particularly enjoyed hearing from three young people who spoke of their experiences in a primary school setting where they learnt about teamwork and resilience, and would like to thank MindWise for organising such a significant event to raise awareness of this crucial issue.”

Why Stronger Foundations Matter

Mental health does not begin in adulthood. It begins in childhood - in classrooms, playgrounds, homes and communities. It is shaped by relationships, resilience, belonging and safety. Sitting among professionals deeply committed to their work, one message became clear: early support changes everything. Equipping children with the tools to communicate, connect and regulate emotions reduces the risk of future crisis and unlocks greater potential for their lives ahead.

As MindWise’s first large-scale Children’s Mental Health Week event, Stronger Foundations represented a powerful next step. Rooted in MindWise’s long-standing commitment to children and young people’s mental health across the island of Ireland, the event demonstrated what is possible when knowledge, partnership and action come together to build stronger foundations.