5 Tips To Promote Mental Health Awareness In Your School And Reduce Student Stress

The primary mission of teachers has always been to support their students academically to encourage and ensure their success at school. However, as society evolves, so do the demands placed on the education system. So, as well as supporting their students academically, teachers are now expected to ensure the mental health and well-being of their students.

And with good reason: over the last few years, schools, and the students who populate them, have had no choice but to deal with unforeseen challenges. We could illustrate this by mentioning, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic, which undoubtedly affected more than one student, or the reform aimed at changing the GCSE grading system, which created a wave of confusion and stress among students that came on top of the pressure felt for the exams themselves.

All of this has ultimately resulted in weakened mental health among students, with a direct impact on their academic performance. Outside the home, schools are the first to see the impact of these challenges. Although many teachers often go above and beyond for their students, one major gap remains: dedicated mental health training.
In fact, a study conducted by the Chartered College of Teaching revealed that only 5% of teachers said they were confident in their ability to cope with an influx of students with mental health problems at the start of the new school year.

World Mental Health Day takes place every year on October the 10th. Its aim is to raise awareness around the world to help us educate ourselves and others so that we can better support each other. To ensure that this day resonates for weeks and even months to come, we are committed to proposing strategies that can be implemented in schools to help teachers ensure the well-being of their students.

What do mental health issues look like?

Mental health is a multifaceted subject that manifests in various forms, often subtly. To champion mental health awareness and support, it’s pivotal to be familiar with its most common manifestations. Here are three prevalent mental health conditions and their key indicators:

Anxiety – Anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry or fear which, when persistent and impacting on daily life, may be a sign of an anxiety disorder. Generalised Anxiety Disorder is one common type of anxiety disorder.

Depression – Depression is a common mental health problem that causes people to experience low mood, loss of interest or pleasure in anything, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration.

Eating Disorders – Behavioural eating disorders can occur as a result of mental health problems – this can include eating too little or too much or becoming fixated with one’s weight or shape.

Source: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/g

Recognising and understanding the nuances of mental health disorders is the first step in fostering an environment of empathy and support. As a community, our duty extends beyond identification; we must ensure we cultivate spaces of acceptance, promote open dialogues, and provide necessary resources for healing and growth. Remember, everyone’s journey with mental health is unique, but together, we can make a difference and light the path towards well-being for all.

The Impact of Exam Pressure on Mental Health

Examinations are a pivotal aspect of a student’s academic journey. However, the intense focus on results often overshadows the toll it takes on their mental well-being, leading to increased student stress. A staggering 80% of young people in this country believe that the pressure of exams has significantly impacted their mental health. This alarming statistic underscores a massive issue faced by today’s youth, especially considering that three-quarters of long-term mental health problems start in childhood. The reforms to GCSE examinations have only exacerbated the problem, leaving many students feeling lost and confused about their future.

The relentless pursuit of academic excellence has inadvertently created a culture where student stress is rampant. The constant pressure to perform well, coupled with the fear of failure, can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. This environment is not only detrimental to the students’ mental health but also hinders their ability to perform at their best.

Managing Student Stress: Strategies For Teachers

From fostering open dialogue about mental health to creating a calm environment and offering practical revision planning and exam strategies, there are various ways teachers can support students’ mental and emotional well-being. For more resources and advice on supporting students, visit YoungMinds, a website dedicated to providing professionals with resources to support young people’s mental health.

Why is mental health awareness important in schools? 

As a result, now more than ever it’s important that schools help to spread mental health awareness and wellbeing. This can make way for easier conversations, spotting those who are in need and helping students to support each other through these difficult times. Teaching and school staff spend the most time with a child in a professional setting, so it’s important that they can identify any behavioural changes that might be the first sign of problems. Social media, gender and sexual identity and modern technology are factors that are contributing to poor mental health in children and young people.

5 Strategies for Boosting Mental Health Awareness in Schools

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, understanding and addressing the mental health needs of students is paramount. It’s not just about academic achievement; it’s about ensuring the holistic well-being of each child. Here are five effective strategies that schools can employ to promote a positive mental health culture, ensuring a supportive and empathetic environment for every pupil.

1. Feedback Boxes – Allow anonymous sharing of any problems students might have. Offer feedback-style boxes around your school. This will help discover trends and invite students to pass on issues that they are struggling to tell to their teacher or parent face-to-face. Teachers can then discuss any issues that have arisen from the notes. But remember, this has to be done in a subtle and non-judgemental way, as not to single out anyone. Some of the issues can be discussed in ‘circle time’ where a safe space is created for the students. This should be coupled with other strategies to ensure extreme distress can be identified.
2. Circle Time – Promote positive relationships with practical activities in ‘circle time’. This can help students develop personal positivity and an understanding of the responsibility of others. Circle time was developed by Jenny Mosley to promote respect for the individual through practical activities that can promote feelings of wellbeing. This could form part of your PSHE classes. The teacher needs to facilitate the discussions and promote the activities in a way that will allow students to feel safe and valued. Sit in a circle and allow students to exchange feelings and ideas. This will hopefully bring up issues important to the students which they will feel able to share.
   Talk about scenarios such as “You see a classmate who is upset because of …, what do you do?”. This encourages students to think about others feelings and what they can do to help. Another circle time activity is asking students to share a positive adjective that describes them. We also like the idea of allies groups, which create safe spaces for students to support each other and engage with the school about their needs. Loughborough University has a great page on Diversity Allies band organisations such as The Kite Trust can often provide training.
3. Work with Parents –  It’s important that schools work with parents to build on supporting the mental health awareness strategies in school. Helping build on the trust and safe space created by teaching staff. Contact parents and discuss any behavioural problems that may not have been noticed at home. Creating a positive meeting is key and taking care not to make the parent feel they are being patronised for what might have influenced their child. Meet after school or in parents’ evenings.
4. PSHE – Mental health and emotional wellbeing should form part of your PSHE classes. The content and direction of the classes should be tailored to the age and needs of the students. Delivering the right messages can help individuals find the confidence and understanding to seek help when needed. This will lead to discussions and questions relating to mental health and remove the stigma behind talking about their feelings.
   It’s important that PSHE focuses on mental health at all age levels. The earlier the better. Focus on teaching that will promote self-awareness. A good place to start is through emotional literacy using story books. This can help develop social relationships and to understand different points of view. You can find useful lesson guides and content on the PSHE Association website.
5. School Behaviour Policy – Setting out a whole-school behaviour policy will provide a guide for staff and students. Helping create a positive learning environment where safety and inclusivity are top priority. Outline policies that will ensure a pupil’s treatment will be fair and consistent when dealing with issues big or small. Policies can be: agreed class or school rules, rewards and sanctions, or PHSE class-based interventions such as ‘circle time’. A positive classroom ethos is founded on good relationships with emphatic teaching staff and fellow students. Only then can the pupil’s behaviour be understood.

Promoting mental health awareness isn’t a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment to creating an environment where students feel seen, heard, and supported. By implementing these strategies, schools take decisive steps towards fostering a culture of empathy and understanding. Together, with sustained effort and collaboration, we can make our schools sanctuaries of well-being, ensuring every child thrives both academically and emotionally. Let’s remain dedicated to this mission, nurturing the minds and hearts of the next generation.

Read ‘ Children’s Mental Health and Well-Being in Primary Schools ’ for further insights into a whole-school approach for your primary school.

Feeling Stressed Yourself?

It’s not just students who feel the pressure during exam season; teachers also experience a great deal of stress. Balancing the responsibility of supporting students, preparing lessons, and managing their own well-being can be overwhelming. This stress can affect a teacher’s ability to provide the necessary support to students, which in turn can contribute to increased student stress. It is a cycle that can be challenging to break.

For tips on managing stress and preventing burnout, check out our post on Teacher Burnout. This comprehensive guide provides practical strategies for managing stress, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and creating a more positive and supportive environment for both teachers and students. By taking care of your own well-being, you can be better equipped to support your students and help them manage student stress more effectively.

Remember, taking care of your mental health is not a sign of weakness; it is a crucial part of being an effective and supportive teacher. Together, we can create a healthier and more supportive educational environment for everyone.