Helping Teachers to Prioritise Children’s Mental Health Effectively

Mental health in schools is a real and growing concern for teachers in the UK. Children’s mental health and wellbeing was heavily impacted upon during the pandemic. Whilst many children returned to the classroom largely unaffected, a growing number have shown symptoms of anxiety, worry and depression – leaving school staff to try and manage their pupils’ thoughts and feelings often with little mental health awareness or training, and even less resources.

Children’s mental health is on the increase

Look around a primary infant school classroom with an average of 26.7 children (according to government statistics) and you will  find that 1 in 6 have a probable mental disorder. That’s up from 1 in 9 in 2017. That’s 4.5 children in every class.

For older children and adolescents between the ages of 17 – 19 the figures of probable mental health conditions have risen from 1 in 10 in 2017 to 1 in 4 in 2022.

The effect of declining mental health in schools

Mental illness in children can be hard to identify. As a result, many children who could benefit from support don’t get the help they need. Consequently:

• The individual sufferer may start to fall behind in their studies and their social development.
• Mental health issues may manifest themselves through bad behaviour and classroom disturbance, making it more difficult for other pupils to remain focused and learn.
• Young children may become clingier whilst older children become more withdrawn and reluctant to talk
• Teachers, already under increasing pressures, are now struggling with the strain of pupils rising mental health needs.
• The reputational risk to schools that are forced to resort to exclusions is very real.

When children are suffering with their mental health the effects have an impact on everyone.

The causes of mental health in children

Identifying mental health conditions in children can be a real challenge. Children differ from adults, in that they experience many mental, physical, and emotional changes whilst progressing through their natural development and growth. They are also having to learn how to cope and adapt to new thoughts and feelings.

Statistics show that children with a challenging home environment or deprived upbringing, and those with long term illness are among the most vulnerable. Indeed, there are many different contributing factors to a decline in a child’s mental health, including:

• Moving home and/or changing school
• Separated or divorced parents
• The death of a friend or family member
• Being abused – emotionally or physically
• Witnessing violence in the home
• Being bullied (at school, outside of school, or online)
• Having a long-term illness

The pandemic has also clearly had a detrimental effect on the wellbeing of children. Whilst Covid-19 rarely caused severe illness in children, it left a devastating effect of social, emotional and developmental issues in young people. The pandemic brought about unpredictability and change which can be stressful for anyone, but for children, change and disruption of routine can be extremely stressful and hard to manage.

Many school children are carrying feelings of loneliness or sadness, especially those without siblings of a comparable age, and have found it hard to readjust to ‘normal’ social environments. These children have lost months and more of interactions and opportunities to learn basic skills like handling conflict and sharing.

How can teachers support Children’s Mental Health

The consequences of increased mental health issues in schools can lead to poor outcomes. It is a concern which needs more support and more resources for the individual, for classrooms, for schools, and, let’s be honest, for the future of our society.

Children spend more (conscious) time at school and with their teachers during the week than they do with their parents. Schools and teachers provide vital support but are constantly put under extreme strain from the demands placed upon them.

This is not an easy challenge. The complex nature of mental health issues in children means there is no cookie-cutter approach. A one-size-fits-all solution simply doesn’t exist – but there are ways in which schools can begin to turn the mental health in children crisis around.

Positive Actions to Promote Positive Mental Health in Schools

What can your school do to promote positive mental health and wellbeing among your pupils?

Let pupils know you are happy to talk about how they are feeling. Encourage children to express their feelings and let them know that you are listening. Build open, healthy relationships.

Here are a few effective strategies that you can incorporate into your school’s daily life:

Educating Staff, Parents, and Students on Mental Health Symptoms and Resources

To promote positive mental health in schools, everyone should be educated on the symptoms of mental health problems and provided access to resources for seeking help. This can be delivered via regular workshops, assemblies, and online resources.

Another great place to start is a Mental Health First Aid course. There are many free courses available online, aimed at improving knowledge of the different types of mental ill health, and how to identify, understand, and respond to the signs and symptoms of mental health.

Promoting Social and Emotional Competency and Building Resilience

• Social and emotional competency plays a crucial role in positive mental health.
• Schools can provide opportunities for students to develop these skills through activities, projects, and group discussions. Teachers can also teach coping strategies and promote a growth mindset to build resilience.

Creating a Positive and Safe School Environment

• A positive, safe, and supportive environment is essential for positive mental health.
• Schools must implement measures to prevent bullying, harassment, and violence, and promote inclusiveness and diversity for all students.

Teaching Positive Behaviours and Decision-Making

• To promote positive mental health, teach and reinforce positive behaviours and decision-making.
• Teachers can incorporate lessons on responsible decision-making, empathy, and positive communication and reinforce it through interactive activities.

Encouraging Helping Others

• Helping others can improve one’s mental health and wellbeing.
• Schools can encourage students to help others through community service projects, peer mentoring programs, and other initiatives that promote altruism and compassion.

Encouraging Good Physical Health

• Physical and mental health are interconnected.
• Schools should promote healthy eating habits and regular physical activity and encourage students to take care of their physical health.

Access to School-Based Mental Health Supports

• Provide students with access to mental health supports such as counselling services and support groups.
• Schools should also work with mental health professionals to provide referrals and resources for students who need additional support.

Using Wall Graphics for Self-Awareness and Confidence Building

• Wall murals and posters can encourage self-awareness and confidence building to promote positive mental health.
• Schools can use these tools to create a positive and uplifting environment and to spread positive messages about mental health and wellbeing.

Our health and mental wellbeing wall graphics include:

• Proud clouds ─ to brighten your classroom walls in a fun and positive way for children to be super proud of their personal goals and celebrate achievements.
• Feeling overwhelmed ‘RAIN’ – this lovely graphic provides students with a coping strategy if they are not having an enjoyable day.
• Sensory Circuit Active Wall ─ introducing short bursts of exercise that is of benefit to all children as it breaks up their day and helps retain focus.
• Fixed Mindset v Growth Mindset – an engaging and colourful visual to promote discussion with your pupils, spark communication, and help them learn positive thinking skills and gain more confidence in their ability to learn.

Making mental health in your school a priority

In conclusion, promoting positive mental health in schools is a complex but crucial challenge. By taking positive actions and creating a supportive environment, schools can accomplish the vital role they have in improving the mental health and wellbeing of their pupils.

As part of your school’s mental health strategy, wall graphics offer a simple, cost-effective, and long-term solution to promoting positive mental health. By encouraging self-awareness and confidence building, promoting positive messages about mental health and wellbeing, and creating a positive and uplifting environment, these visual tools can have a lasting impact on students, teachers, and the school community.

To learn more about our range of mental health wall graphics, get in touch with Design for Education today