Addressing the Mental Health Crisis in Schools: A Preventative Approach

What are the current trends in mental health conditions in Britain, and how do they impact different age groups?

The UK is currently facing a growing challenge of increased mental conditions (e.g., anxiety and depression) amongst its population. As of 2023, mental health conditions are one of the most prevalent primary conditions in people who are economically inactive due to long-term illness. Young people between the age of 16 and 34 seem to be among the groups whose mental health has deteriorated the most, with those reporting work-limiting mental health conditions quadrupling between 2013 and 2023. However, it is not just working age young people who are suffering from increased mental health conditions. School age children are also being significantly impacted.

What are the implications of worsening mental health for young people’s educational outcomes?

An increasing number of school pupils report poor mental health. According to NHS statistics, 20.3 per cent of children in England aged eight to 16 had a “probable mental disorder”, a significant rise of 7.8 per cent in comparison to the figures in 2017. By “probable mental disorders”, it is meant that the children surveyed displayed the characteristics of one or more mental health disorders. This has led to significant pressures on mental health services for children and young people, evidenced by the 270,300 children and young people on the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) waiting list in 2023. This suggests that many children are not able to access the care that they need.

While schools are often thought of as safe spaces for children and young people, a recent report by mental health charity Mind found that 78 per cent of the 1,271 young people aged 13-25 surveyed reported that school had made their mental wellbeing worse. In the same report, 45 per cent of LGBTQ identifying young people reported experiencing bullying based on their gender identity and/or sexual orientation, and 70 per cent of young people that had reported experiencing racism at school said it had negatively affected their mental health.

The mental wellbeing of young people affects their motivation to learn. One study by COSMO research group found that 85 per cent of 16–17-year-olds experiencing high levels of distress were less motivated to learn compared to 68 per cent of those experiencing average distress and 37 per cent experiencing low distress. We also know that there is an association between mental health conditions and school absence. This has only been exacerbated by COVID, which saw absences increase massively during the pandemic and continue to remain high.

What issue does this pose for the government?

The declining mental wellbeing of young people poses a substantial issue for the government for three main reasons:

Firstly, mental health conditions are a leading primary condition in those that are economically inactive due to long-term illness. If this remains the case, we could see a growing number of economically inactive young people and a reduced labour force, limiting the country’s productivity and growth. This trend could have far-reaching implications for the economy and the government, such as increased welfare spending and a reduced tax revenue.

Secondly, increased mental health conditions among young people may further strain public services such as the NHS, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAHMS) and CYPMHS. Waiting lists are already at a high. Not only do increased waiting lists mean that patients will have to wait longer to receive treatment, but they also mean that those who are able to receive treatment may see a reduction in the quality of the care that they receive due to increased pressures on staff.

Thirdly, the association between poor mental health and absenteeism causes concerns for the academic achievement of pupils, as absences harm both short- and long-term educational outcomes. Additionally, what we are already seeing within schools is an increased likelihood of absenteeism in children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnic minority pupils and Special Educational Needs and Disabled pupils. Hence, the disparities in attainment between those from disadvantaged sociodemographic groups and those from advantaged sociodemographic groups could widen.

What can schools do to enhance pupils’ mental wellbeing and resilience?

Whilst targeting the root causes of declining mental health in society is necessary, there is a need to instil pupils with the skills needed to build resilience and manage stress. The previous UK Government took steps to support schools in tackling pupils’ mental health by funding educational mental health practitioners in schools. However, this was rolled out to only a third of schools and sought to provide support and advice to pupils with mild to moderate mental health problems. While this approach was welcomed by schools and pupils, evidence indicates that many pupils’ needs did not fall within the criteria of ‘mild to moderate mental health problems’ and therefore were not able to access the support. Instead, a preventative approach to mental health that is aimed at all pupils regardless of their current or previous mental wellbeing could be adopted. Furthermore, pupils have responded positively to preventative approaches and welcome frequent and in-depth mental health education within schools.

Interventions that aim to build resilience within children have been used in experimental studies before, where strategies such as positive self-talk and emotional regulation techniques are taught to pupils. Resilience interventions within schools have consistently been found to be effective in pupils’ ability to manage daily stressors, build emotional intelligence, and academic achievement. This approach would be effective not just for the reasons stated above, but also because for some pupils this would tackle mental health issues before they arise, teaching them effective strategies and skills that pupils could use once they leave school and join the labour force.

Addressing the mental health crisis requires investment, collaboration, and innovative thinking. While many challenges exist, the cost of inaction, both economically and socially, is far greater. The government must act decisively to prioritise the mental wellbeing of young people, ensuring a better future for them and the country.