Promoting Mental Health in Schools

Schools are places where children learn and spend a big part of their day, which makes mental health in schools an important part of every student’s experience. It’s also where our kids build friendships and face challenges.

Because students spend so much time in school, it becomes a place to support not just their academic growth, but their emotional health too.

This is especially important because research shows that half of all mental health conditions start by age 14 [*]. This means many students may already be struggling, even if the signs are not always easy to notice.

In this guide, we’ll talk about why mental health matters in schools and how school staff can better support students.

Why Mental Health Should Be Taught in Schools

There is a growing need for stronger mental health awareness in schools. The truth is, mental health is not separate from learning. It is a foundation for it.

Tests, difficult subjects, social pressures, and changes at home can all feel overwhelming at times. Without the right skills to manage their emotions, students may avoid tasks and give up. But when they are taught how to cope, they can learn to manage stress and even ask for help.

This is especially important for older children and teens, who may be more vulnerable to mental health struggles due to their growing responsibilities and peer pressure [*].

The good news is that providing mental health support in schools does not have to be complicated. We’ll discuss strategies later on, but first, it’s helpful to understand the common difficulties students face.

Common Mental Health Challenges Students Face

Most mental health challenges take root in childhood and adolescence, and this makes schools one of the first places they become visible.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that these challenges can be multifactorial. They don’t happen because of just one thing, and they are not caused by school alone. Challenges at home or with friends can carry over and affect their behavior and learning.

These are some of the mental health challenges commonly seen in school settings:

• Anxiety - Students with anxiety struggle with worry, fear, or nervousness that feels difficult to manage. A certain level of anxiety is normal, such as feeling nervous before an exam or a presentation. But for some students, these feelings are more frequent and more overwhelming. They may constantly fear making mistakes, being criticized, or falling short of what is expected of them.
• Depression - Depression in students is a persistent state of low energy, lost motivation, and emotional disconnection that can take over a young person’s life. A student may feel hopeless about the future, detached from the people around them, and unable to find meaning in things they once cared about. Part of the challenge is that depression does not always appear on its own. It coexists with other mental health concerns, particularly anxiety [*].
• Behavioral disorders - Behavioral disorders are not simply about a student being difficult or defiant. They involve repeated disruptive behavior, such as outbursts, trouble following rules, or difficulty controlling impulses. In the classroom, this can look like a student who frequently interrupts lessons or reacts intensely when things do not go as expected. It is important to understand that these behaviors are rarely intentional.
• Bullying - When a student is repeatedly teased, threatened, excluded, physically hurt, or targeted online, it can deeply affect their sense of self-worth and safety. They may feel anxious, isolated, or afraid to come to school. It’s also helpful to look at the student who is engaging in bullying behavior. Bullying can sometimes be a sign of unmet needs, struggles with emotional regulation, or learned behavior from their environment.
• Low self-esteem - Low self-esteem is when a student consistently doubts their own abilities or worth. This can affect their participation in class and interaction with others. They may avoid trying new things or give up easily.
• Peer pressure - Peer pressure becomes more common as students place more importance on friendships. It can influence their thinking and decision-making. Students dealing with peer pressure may struggle with self-esteem. Those who feel unsure of themselves are more likely to go along with others even when it doesn’t feel right [*].
• Stress and burnout - Stress becomes a concern when it doesn’t ease and begins to wear a student down over time. When this continues, it can lead to burnout — where a student feels drained, unmotivated, and easily overwhelmed. This state can also worsen other struggles like anxiety and depression [*].

Signs a Student May Need Mental Health Support

There is no universal checklist, and signs can vary widely from one student to the next. What remains consistent, however, is the value of knowing your students well enough to notice when something feels different.

Some students will make their distress visible through their behaviors. These may include emotional outbursts, sudden drops in performance, or an obvious withdrawal from their social life.

Others keep their pain to themselves — they may look fine on the outside while struggling within. Both deserve the same level of attention and care.

Physical changes can also be indicators. Students might complain of headaches or stomachaches and seem constantly tired.

While these signs do not always mean a student is experiencing a mental health concern, they can serve as helpful signals that a student may need a closer check-in.

How Teachers Can Create a Supportive Classroom Environment

Teachers are uniquely positioned to make a difference not just academically, but emotionally. One of the best places to start is to build a strong understanding of mental health and the common challenges students may face. This awareness becomes a foundation for creating a classroom environment where students feel safe and that they belong.

Below are meaningful ways teachers can help make a difference in the well-being of their students:

• Build positive relationships with students - Take time to learn their names, remember what they shared, and ask about what they enjoy outside of school. These small, genuine actions show students that they matter.
• Encourage open communication - In practice, open communication does not always mean deep conversations. Sometimes it is as simple as beginning the day with a brief check-in. Ask students to share one word that describes how they feel or rate their mood on a scale before the lesson begins.
• Promote inclusivity and respect - Set the tone that every student belongs and deserves respect. For example, if a student shares an idea and another student laughs or comments, address it right away. You might say, “In our classroom, we listen and respect each other.”
• Be accessible beyond classroom time - Sometimes, a student is not ready to talk during class. Letting students know that they are welcome to come by before school, after class, or during free periods sends a message that they can always reach out for support.
• Keep parents and guardians involved - This is one of the most effective ways to make sure that a student receives consistent support across every part of their life. Remember that what happens at home affects how a student shows up at school, and what happens at school can affect how they feel at home.
• Encourage a growth mindset - A lot of students shut down because they are afraid of getting things wrong. The fear of making a mistake can be paralyzing enough to stop a student from trying at all. Reminding them that mistakes are not only normal but necessary reframes the entire experience of learning.
• Set clear and consistent expectations - Students do better when they know what to expect. Clear rules and routines help them feel more in control of their environment. It also reduces anxiety because they’re not constantly guessing what’s coming next.
• Support different learning styles - Not every student learns the same way. This is why teachers need to stay flexible in how they teach. Take, for example, a student who finds it difficult to sit still and absorb information through lengthy verbal explanations. For this student, the same content delivered through a short video or a movement-based activity might be more effective.
• Encourage collaboration and teamwork - Working with others gives students a chance to feel connected. It also helps them practice important skills like active listening, sharing ideas, and respecting different perspectives.

Ways Schools Can Improve Mental Health Support

Teachers can do a lot, but they shouldn’t have to carry this alone. Others in the school community, including counselors, administrators, and support staff, can help create a system that consistently supports students.

• Train teachers in basic mental health awareness - Training helps teachers distinguish between typical developmental behavior and signs that may indicate something more serious, such as anxiety, depression, trauma responses, or behavioral difficulties that warrant professional attention.
• Provide consistent access to counselors - This means having counselors who are physically present in school on a regular schedule, with set hours where students know they can find them and talk.
• Build routines that support emotional well-being - It might look like dedicated time each week where every class, regardless of year level or subject, has a moment to check in on how students are doing emotionally. Schools can also designate “calm-down” areas where students can go when they are feeling overwhelmed.
• Offer school-based mental health programs - Mental health programs in schools can include structured lessons on emotional health where students learn ways to identify and manage their feelings. Peer support programs are also great options. Here, students can be trained to listen and know when to encourage someone to seek help from a trusted adult or school staff.
• Set up clear referral systems - A clear referral process should tell them exactly what to do. For example, they can write down specific observations, share them with the designated staff member (such as a counselor or year level coordinator), and follow the school’s set steps so concerns are passed on quickly.

Resources

Schools can access many tools that can help them get started in supporting students school-wide, even without building an entirely new system from scratch.

If you are interested, here are some trusted resources you can start with:

• American Psychological Association
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)