This is My Place: Why belonging matters to Forces children’s mental health

Marking Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week 2026, here are some reflections from Deputy CEO and Policy Lead Meg Thomas about what belonging looks like and why it’s so important for children and young people from Armed Forces families.

For most children, “my place” might mean a familiar street, a school they’ve grown up in, or friends they’ve known for years. For children and young people from Armed Forces families, “place” is often less about geography and more about people, routines and feeling understood.

Forces children live in every community, attending local schools, joining sports teams and youth groups, and sitting alongside their peers in classrooms across the UK. However, their lives are shaped by experiences many others never have: frequent moves, long separations from parents during deployment, and the need to adapt again and again to new environments. While these experiences can build independence, resilience and adaptability, they also bring real emotional challenges.

Belonging is central to children’s mental health. It helps them feel safe, valued and connected. When belonging is disrupted – by moving school, leaving friends behind, or coping with a parent’s absence – mental wellbeing can suffer. Some Forces young people describe feeling anxious, low or isolated when a parent is away. As Hayden put it simply: “My mental health is impacted.” Rory told us he was “depressed when my parent is away.”

Adolescence is already a time of heightened vulnerability. Research shows that the impact of repeated deployments and separations can be cumulative, placing additional pressure on young people’s mental health. Yet many Forces children say they feel misunderstood by the professionals around them. When adults don’t fully grasp the realities of Forces life, children may be reluctant to seek help, particularly in school-based settings.

Accessing support can also be harder. Long waiting times for services such as CAMHS are challenging for any family, but frequent moves can break the trusted relationships that help children feel secure enough to open up. Starting again with new professionals can mean retelling painful experiences from scratch.

When support is Forces-aware, it makes a powerful difference. Programmes designed with an understanding of mobility, deployment and family separation show strong improvements in wellbeing, with over 9 in 10 young people reporting positive change. Sometimes, what children need most is simple but profound: someone who understands and listens. As Aaliyah told us, “I think for some kids it would be beneficial if there were people to talk and listen to them about how they’re feeling.” 

This year’s Children’s Mental Health Week theme, This Is My Place, reminds us that belonging is created. By recognising Forces children in our communities, understanding their experiences, and ensuring services are equipped to support them, we can help them build a sense of place wherever they are.