Mental health in schools: supporting student mental health
Mental health problems among young people have , with the in 2023 that 1 in 5 young people aged 8-25 has a probable mental health disorder.
The that strong mental health and wellbeing improve school attendance and engagement with learning, supports development of social and emotional skills, and improves long-term outcomes such as employment.
Schools can play a key role in supporting young people’s mental health, in turn improving academic outcomes and general health and wellbeing.
But how can we better support pupils’ mental health? We're exploring practical ways teachers and school settings can improve their students’ wellbeing.
The impact of mental health on academic performance
Evidence shows that mental ill health has a significant impact on educational attainment and academic performance:
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found that those who receive a depression diagnosis while at school show a substantial decline in academic attainment when they reach year 11
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Research from found 74% of teachers said poor mental health support is having a negative impact on pupils’ ability to learn
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A longitudinal study from found that “the mentally healthiest are the most likely to be academically successful, regardless of social background”
Ultimately, it’s clear from the research that mental health has a noticeable impact on academic performance – so it is key for schools to look for ways of supporting and improving their students’ mental health.
How can we better support pupils’ mental health?
Building strong mental health in schools is key for educational attainment as well as student wellbeing – but how can schools and trusts go about building it?
Reduce pressure
Academic pressure is often a major source of stress and anxiety for young people. While some of this may also be coming from parents, teachers have a role to play in reducing academic pressure on young people.
This might look like increasing student awareness of different pathways they might follow, such as apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships, rather than just highlighting traditional routes that are perceived as more ‘academic’.
Similarly, when it comes to exams, it can reduce stress for students to feel prepared – for example, you could complete mock exams in the same hall and in the same conditions as their real exams.
Create a safe environment
Cultivating a school environment where students can be open about mental health can go a long way.
Talking about mental health shows young people that it isn’t something to be embarrassed about or ashamed of, which helps remove some of the stigma young people face in sharing challenges to their mental health and wellbeing.
Keeping worries, feelings of anxiety or low mood to themselves can make a young person’s mental ill health escalate.
Especially for those experiencing more mild-to-moderate mental ill health, simply being able to share what they’re feeling can stop problems from escalating.
This might look like teaching about mental health in the classroom. While the content and depth of what you teach will vary by age group, this can be a great way to start a conversation about mental health in schools.
However, teaching these lessons requires buy-in at a leadership level – so it may not be an option for all teachers. Other ways teachers can create a safe environment for student mental health include:
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Letting students know they can talk their about mental health
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Be patient with students who are not engaged in learning – evidence suggests these may be the most likely students to experience mental ill health
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Providing channels for students to share with you privately, such as via email or a physical letterbox in your classroom – however, it’s important they know you may have to share with other adults to keep them safe, e.g. if you believe they are in danger
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For younger children, explain that difficult feelings are normal – some children may also benefit from learning how to identify and manage these
How does teaching mental health in schools benefit students?
Teaching mental health in schools benefits students by increasing engagement with learning and leading to better academic, social and emotional outcomes.
Teaching mindfulness and helping students develop has a range of long-term benefits:
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More emotional stability
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Improved emotional regulation and stress management
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Building connections with others
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Better health, both physically and mentally
Improved mental health and wellbeing even increases a young person's likelihood of being in employment as an adult.
Early intervention and knowing the signs
Early intervention in mental health problems can prevent them from escalating into more severe issues.
However, for a young person to receive early support, the adults around them need to notice that they’re struggling.
As such, it’s essential that teachers and school staff can spot the signs a student might be experiencing mental ill health or challenges to their wellbeing.
Proper training is key to ensuring teachers and school staff have the confidence to identify and address a young person’s needs – whether that's by recording a safeguarding concern or referring the student to a school nurse or external support service.
Our Safeguarding Training includes courses on Mental Wellbeing in Children and Young People and Understanding Low Mood and Depression.
These courses were created in collaboration with expert agencies YoungMinds and the School and Public Health Nurses Association, and empower you to identify the signs of mental ill health and confidently support young people at your school.
Get a full picture of wellbeing concerns – so you can address them
With the right classroom management software, you can track student wellbeing with input from teachers, parents and young people themselves.
Vlog Class Charts enables you to manage wellbeing alongside behaviour, seating charts and parent engagement – all while saving up to 10,000 hours of teaching time across your school.
We know every school is different, so the platform is flexible to meet your needs. Get automated reports on homework, behaviour and attendance, for a full picture of each student, class and year group.
The platform’s analytics gives pastoral staff the data they need to identify young people who might need additional support. Plus, you can track and measure the impact of the support they receive, so you can ensure you're meeting each student’s needs.
Learn how Class Charts can help you improve outcomes while saving time with our free guide.