Mental health and the importance of support within schools has gained more attention in recent years, this is largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which took children out of school and social settings for months on end. This lack of any social settings removed children from day-to-day contact with classmates and teachers, limiting social skills, confidence, and motivation. The impact on children was clear when schools were allowed to return, with some children finding it difficult to learn or even socialise with other students. With students suffering mentally within schools, it removed them from large groups and placed more pressure on them to make new friends and force them back into the school setting after so long away from it. Addressing mental health within schools has now been recognised as essential for fostering an environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.

Mental health issues amongst students are becoming alarmingly present, and with growing pressures on children both in and out of education, cases are rising. Depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are amongst the most common issues seen in students, and the World Health Organisation states that 1 in 6 children across the world experience a mental health disorder. Many of these go unrecognised or untreated simply because support and care isn’t accessible enough across the county nor globally. Despite schools and the education sector becoming more aware of these issues, support services are not always adequate and accessible in all schools. This gap in support can accelerate the growing issues that are being found amongst students and young people, leading to a cycle of academic struggles and emotional distress.

Mental health education and support in school matters, making sure that both students and staff feel heard and recognised in the environment with issues being openly talked about in order to educate future generations. These reasons include:

1 – Academic performance: Mental health issues directly affect a student’s motivation and ability to learn and perform academically, impacting grades and their relationship with the school environment. Schools and parents may not see these issues, further placing more pressure on them to perform better. Youth social action allows young people to focus their efforts on their future, developing a more positive mindset and work effort. By schools prioritising mental health and including it in the school curriculum, schools can help students overcome these barriers, leading to better academic outcomes.

2 – Social Development: Schools are one of the main social environments for young people and children, with there being contact with their peers and adults five days of the week allowing them to develop social skills and personal development. However, mental health issues can hinder this development drastically, leading to possible isolation or even bullying. By addressing these challenges through youth social action projects and education, schools can limit the amount of bullying in the learning environment, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment where healthy relationship can be formed.

3 – Behavioural Issues: Untreated and unrecognised mental health issues often manifest as behavioural problems in the classroom – leading to students becoming disruptive, withdrawn and even aggressive. By addressing this problem, it leads to more effective behavioural management and a more positive classroom environment. Youth social action can allow young people to become more involved and participate in both school and wider community activities, improving their social abilities and behaviour around the community.

4 – Long-term Impact: Early intervention can have lasting benefits. Students who have access to and receive support are more likely to develop resilience and coping strategies, developing their personal skills throughout their future career and home life. Promoting mental health and using youth social action projects in schools encourage students to seek help when it is needed, and how to look for symptoms and support others around them in similar situations.

Strategies for improving mental health are being developed by both those in the education sector and those in child development and mental health support sectors, etc, and these are beginning to be implemented in schools but are not always accessible to all schools and students. These strategies include:

1 – Mental Health Education: By incorporating mental health education into the curriculum, it allows both students and teachers to spot the signs of mental health issues in others and know when and were to seek help when people need it, including themselves. By normalising the conversation about mental health, it encourages young people to take charge of their well-being – becoming involved in youth social action can be a way of doing this.

2 – Access to Support Services: Schools and communities should provide access to trained mental health professionals, allowing students to feel as if they always have access to help and support when they need it. It also educates them on where to point others when they are also seeking help.

3 – Teacher Training: Teachers are often the first to notice changes in a young person’s mood, motivation and mindset. By schools providing teachers with mental health education training, allowing them to spot the signs, what to do and how to approach a situation they can identify issues early and refer students to appropriate resources at a more beneficial time.

4 – Creating a Supportive Environment: A school culture that promotes mental well-being is crucial. This includes fostering a sense of belonging, encouraging open communication, and creating a safe space where students feel comfortable discussing their concerns. Schools can also increase and promote their involvement in youth social action programs, which will make their young people feel more involved and more respected in the school and wider community.

5 – Parental Involvement: Engaging parents in a conversation about mental health is essential, allowing them to spot signs of issues in their children, and ensuring them that their child’s school is well-equipped and looking for signs of mental issues – supporting their young people. This allows the parent to support their children at home as well, especially for those that have busy work lives and maybe don’t spend as much time with their children as they would like to.

In conclusion, the importance of mental health education and support within schools is crucial to a young persons personal and academic development. Schools will not only be supporting the emotional and psychological needs of their students but will also be paving the way for better academic outcomes, healthier social interactions, and long-term success. It is imperative that schools, educators and communities create an environment where mental health is openly supported, and students feel valued and respected.

Mollie Speed, Ormiston Trust Young Advisor & Intern