Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy, strong, and supported. That’s the heart behind Child Health Month 2025, a national effort to shine a light on the health and wellbeing of our youngest generation. From nutrition and vaccinations to mental health and safe environments, Child Health Month 2025 reminds us how crucial it is to nurture every part of a child’s development. It’s a month of awareness, action and hope for their future, and ours.
Child Health Month is a vital national observance, and in August 2025, the spotlight turns once again to “Putting Kids First” a theme that reminds us of our collective responsibility to nurture, protect, and empower every child in South Africa.
While May is often marked by child health initiatives, August offers a renewed opportunity to focus on holistic child wellbeing encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and social health. In line with Women’s Month in South Africa, this extended focus also highlights the role of mothers and caregivers in shaping the health outcomes of children across the country.
Why Child Health Still Needs Urgent Attention
In South Africa, children continue to face numerous health challenges. From malnutrition and preventable diseases to rising rates of mental health struggles and limited access to healthcare in rural areas, the barriers to wellness are real and persistent.
Child Health Month in August 2025 aims to:
- Raise awareness around childhood diseases and early detection
- Promote vaccination and immunisation schedules
- Encourage mental health support in schools and homes
- Tackle food insecurity and promote balanced nutrition
- Equip parents and caregivers with the knowledge to support their children’s development
It’s a national reminder that every policy, health campaign, and community programme should put children’s needs and rights at the centre.
August 2025 Focus – Mental Health and Resilience
This year’s Child Health Month theme extends beyond physical health to spotlight a growing concern: children’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
With the effects of trauma, poverty, bullying, and academic pressure increasingly impacting young minds, August 2025 will focus on:
- Creating safe spaces in schools and homes for children to express themselves
- Training teachers and healthcare providers to recognise signs of stress, anxiety, and depression
- Promoting play, movement, and mindfulness to build resilience
- Encouraging open conversations between children and caregivers
- Strengthening referral pathways to mental health services in underserved areas
By prioritising mental health, we support children not just to survive, but to flourish.
How to Participate in Child Health Month 2025
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, health worker, or simply a concerned citizen, here are some practical ways to get involved this August:
- Schools: Organise wellness days, fun fitness sessions, and mental health awareness activities
- Clinics and hospitals: Run child health screenings, vaccination drives, and caregiver education talks
- Communities and NGOs: Host workshops on child nutrition, hygiene, and emotional support
- Parents and caregivers: Spend quality time talking with your children, promoting healthy routines, and encouraging physical activity
- Businesses: Support child health initiatives through sponsorships, donations, or staff volunteering programmes
FAQs
Is Child Health Month observed in August or May?
Traditionally, child health initiatives may be observed in May, but many campaigns and extended efforts, particularly in South Africa, continue or resurface in August, aligning with Women’s Month and broader health awareness efforts.
Why is mental health a focus in 2025?
Rising rates of anxiety, trauma, and behavioural issues among children have highlighted the need for urgent and sustained support for mental wellbeing, especially in school and community settings.
How can I support my child’s emotional health at home?
Maintain open communication, create a safe and loving environment, stick to routines, and seek professional help if your child is showing signs of stress or withdrawal.
Are there national campaigns I can join?
Yes. Keep an eye on updates from the Department of Health, UNICEF South Africa, and local NGOs like Grow Great and Children’s Institute for events and toolkits.
Healthy Children, Stronger Nation
Child Health Month 2025 is more than a campaign – it’s a movement to re-centre children in our national priorities. By putting kids first in August, we reaffirm our commitment to giving every child in South Africa the chance to live a healthy, happy, and hopeful life.
Let’s act now at home, in schools, in clinics, and in communities to build a brighter, stronger future for the children who will shape it.
References:
You may also like
As a parent, you can’t know if your child has asthma or not. You can suspect it. Johannesburg Specialist Paediatric Pulmonologist, Dr Keketso Mopeli ,of …
