"Always Keep Going" – Why Early Support Can Change a Child's Life

"Always keep going."

Those were the final words one young girl shared with her counsellor after completing her sessions with The Matthew Hackney Foundation.

She didn't realise it at the time, but those three simple words perfectly capture why early mental health support matters.

One child's journey

When "A" was referred for counselling in Upper Key Stage 2, life had become incredibly difficult.

Her family was experiencing significant domestic stress, which eventually led to her parents separating and her father leaving the family home. Alongside this emotional upheaval, A's neurodivergent profile meant she already found communication, organisation and friendships challenging. The changes at home left her feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and increasingly unsure of herself.

When counselling began, A viewed the world through a very negative lens.

She often told her counsellor that "everything was bad."

She struggled to identify anything positive about her week and rarely trusted her own judgement, instead looking to adults to tell her what to think or do.

Rather than rushing to solve problems, the first priority was simply creating a safe, calm and predictable space where she could begin to trust.

Because talking wasn't always easy, her counsellor used creative approaches including storytelling cards, drawing and expressive art to help A explore emotions that felt too overwhelming to put into words.

Gradually, she began to open up about her father's absence, the atmosphere at home before the separation and the confusing mixture of sadness, anger and grief she was carrying.

Together, they explored these feelings, helping "A" understand that what had happened was not her fault and that the difficulties within her family did not define who she was.

Week by week, something remarkable began to happen.

Instead of looking to her counsellor for answers, "A" started solving problems herself. She became more confident in making decisions, expressing her feelings and managing difficult situations.

Perhaps the biggest change came towards the end of her counselling journey.

The child who once believed everything was bad began arriving each week excited to share a list of positive moments from the days before.

School staff noticed the transformation too.

"We have noticed a big shift in her overall mood. It has really lifted. Giving her that dedicated, consistent space to fully focus on herself and her feelings has been superb. She has been through a lot of change at home, and processing those emotions has made a real difference to how she manages her frustration and navigates her friendships."

At her final session, when asked if she had a message for the charity, she simply smiled, offered a fist bump and said:

"Always keep going."

Those three words continue to inspire us every day.

Why are more children struggling with their mental health?

Sadly, A's story is far from unique.

Across the UK, around one in five children and young people are now thought to be experiencing a probable mental health disorder. Behind every statistic is a child trying to make sense of a world that often feels confusing and overwhelming.

There is no single reason for this increase. Instead, many children are growing up with multiple pressures happening all at once.

Some are coping with family breakdown, bereavement or financial hardship. Others are navigating the pressures of social media, online comparisons and cyberbullying. Many are still feeling the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, having missed important opportunities for social and emotional development during key stages of childhood.

Schools are also seeing increasing levels of anxiety linked to academic pressure, friendships and uncertainty about the future.

Here in Surrey, demand for children's emotional wellbeing services has been described by Surrey Heartlands NHS as "unprecedented". The NHS has reported a sustained increase in referrals for children's mental health support, with growing demand for anxiety, neurodevelopmental assessments and emotional wellbeing services following the pandemic.

In 2024/25, more than one million children and young people in England were referred to NHS mental health services—almost double the number referred just six years earlier.

At the same time, there is some encouraging news.

It is also important to remember that increasing numbers do not necessarily mean that more children are becoming mentally unwell. They also reflect something positive. Families, schools and young people are recognising mental health difficulties earlier, talking more openly about them and asking for help. That growing awareness is helping to reduce stigma—but it also highlights the need for more early intervention services so children can access support before problems escalate.

Awareness has grown—and that is something to celebrate.

Why early intervention matters

Children are remarkably resilient.

When they have a trusted adult, a safe space to talk and the right support at the right time, they can develop the confidence and coping skills that will stay with them throughout their lives.

Early intervention doesn't just reduce today's worries—it helps prevent tomorrow's crises.

It can improve emotional wellbeing, strengthen relationships, increase school attendance, build resilience and help children believe in themselves again.

Sometimes, the biggest changes begin with something very simple: one consistent adult who listens without judgement.

Looking forward with hope

Every week, we see children arrive feeling anxious, overwhelmed or convinced that things will never get better.

We also see those same children begin to smile again, rebuild friendships, believe in themselves and rediscover hope.

That is why The Matthew Hackney Foundation exists.

By providing early mental health support in schools and communities across Surrey, we are helping children and young people develop the confidence, resilience and emotional tools they need to thrive.

Because behind every statistic is a child like "A".

A child whose future can change with the right support.

And if there's one lesson we've learned from children like her, it's this:

"Always keep going"

Can you help another child like "A"?

Every child deserves the opportunity to be heard, understood and supported before their struggles become a crisis.

Even a small regular donation (such as the price of a cup of coffee each month), you could really help us provide early mental health support to more children and young people across Surrey.

Your monthly donation helps us fund counselling sessions, early intervention programmes and practical emotional support for children who need it most.

Because every child deserves someone who will listen.

Because every child deserves hope.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/donate-to-to-support-wellbeing