It’s the start of the new year and you’re thinking – how can I get
through this year and achieve the best possible outcomes for my pupils and
staff? While academic achievement is a cornerstone of our work, there’s an
even deeper current flowing beneath it that’s absolutely vital: mental health.
It’s the silent force that can either empower or undermine everything we
strive for in our schools: it’s fundamental to learning, to behaviour, and to
overall success and happiness.
So why is it something so often overlooked in good practice? It’s clear that
simply reacting to problems after they emerge isn’t enough. The good news?
We have a powerful solution within our grasp: embracing a whole-school
approach to mental wellbeing. This isn’t just another initiative; it’s a
fundamental shift towards creating an environment where everyone feels
supported, understood, and equipped to navigate life’s challenges. Let’s
explore why this proactive approach is essential, what it truly entails, and
how, together, we can make 2026 the year of wellbeing in our schools.
Why ‘fixing it later’ just isn’t cutting it anymore
You know, relying on a “fix it later” approach for our young people’s mental
health just isn’t cutting it anymore. We’re seeing more and more that children
and teenagers are struggling – about one in five in the UK had a probable
mental health disorder in 2023, and general wellbeing is declining. The
pandemic certainly amplified anxiety, and economic pressures add to the
strain. Crucially, half of all psychological disorders begin before age 14,
meaning early support is absolutely vital.
The problem is, our specialist services are totally overwhelmed. This leaves
schools holding the fort, with dedicated staff often feeling unprepared to
handle complex mental health issues. Plus, when we only offer help after a
problem hits, we miss huge opportunities to prevent things from escalating.
Targeted interventions, while sometimes necessary, often carry a stigma, and
standalone programs often aren’t enough on their own.
This is why a whole-school approach is so powerful. Schools are perfectly
placed to nurture mental health because they’re where our young people
spend most of their crucial developmental years. By weaving mental
wellbeing into everything we do—from policies to daily interactions—we
create a proactive, supportive environment for everyone. This isn’t just about
feeling better; it genuinely improves academic outcomes, builds vital life skills, and reduces stigma. It’s about creating schools where every child can truly flourish, both in their learning and in their lives.
So, what is a “Whole-School Approach” anyway?
It’s holistic and systematic: The whole-school approach is a systemic
intervention aimed at change across multiple system levels and anchored
into the learning environment and the fabric of the school.
It’s proactive and preventative: Instead of a reactive approach, you instead
aim to prevent problems from escalating and seek to promote positive social
and emotional wellbeing for all staff and students.
It has comprehensive components which employ the DfE’s 8 key principles for a whole school approach as a framework, with strong evidence based
resources and information.
It’s a collaborative effort with all students, staff, families, and the wider
community working together to implement systems to improve mental health
and wellbeing.
It’s long term and sustainable, requiring sustained resourcing and continuous
evaluation to ensure it becomes embedded with ongoing practices and not
isolated incidents.
Okay, but is this achievable? Let’s talk challenges
It’s clear that fostering a truly mentally healthy school environment is a
journey with its share of hurdles, but definitely one worth taking! The increase
in young people facing mental health challenges and stretched services
means schools are often forced onto the front line, supporting students who
simply can’t access help elsewhere. It’s a tough spot to be in, especially when
communication between schools and external services can sometimes feel
like trying to speak different languages.
And let’s be honest, our amazing school staff are educators, not therapists.
They’re doing incredible work, but they often lack the specialised training for
complex mental health cases, and their workloads are already immense. It’s
tough to ask them to take on more when they’re already stretched thin,
dealing with their own wellbeing amidst constant reforms.
There’s also this constant push for academic results, which, while important,
has the potential to overshadow the critical need for mental health support.
We want our students to achieve, but not at the cost of their wellbeing. We’re
all learning how to integrate mental health into the very fabric of school life,
rather than seeing it as an add-on or something only “experts” can handle.
Government policies and new initiatives, while well-intentioned, can
sometimes feel like “initiative fatigue” for schools already juggling so much.
Plus, getting everyone – from staff to parents and even students themselves –
on board with new ways of working can be tricky. It’s natural for people to
resist change, especially when it challenges existing routines or
understanding.
The goal is to move beyond just “fixing it later” and proactively build a culture
where mental health is openly discussed, supported, and nurtured. It’s about
creating an environment where every student and staff member feels seen,
heard, and valued. We’re all in this together, and by working collaboratively,
we can truly transform our schools into places where mental wellbeing
flourishes.
Lets talk change – 6 steps to take now to start your journey towards a
mentally healthy school
- Appoint a Senior Mental Health Lead (who ideally is part of the SLT or
has the authority and support to influence strategic change) to
develop and oversee your strategy. - Develop a common language and shared definitions of mental health
and wellbeing across the entire school community, which includes
students, staff, parents, and external services. - Undertake a self-evaluation or audit to understand what is already
happening effectively in relation to mental health and wellbeing. - Address workload pressures and foster a supportive environment for
school staff. - Involve students, staff, parents, and the wider community in any
planning and implementation processes from the start. - Consider how to integrate mental health and wellbeing into the
school’s ethos, curriculum, teaching practices, and daily interactions.
Let’s make 2026 the year of wellbeing
By embracing a whole-school approach to wellbeing, we can move beyond
reactive measures and cultivate an environment where every student and
staff member can flourish.
Yes, challenges exist—from strained budgets and staff capacity to the
relentless pressure of academic targets. However, these obstacles are not
insurmountable. By appointing dedicated leads, fostering a shared
language, conducting thorough self-evaluations, and genuinely involving the
entire school community, we can pave the way for lasting change.
Let’s make 2026 the year we collectively commit to building
mentally healthy schools, ensuring that wellbeing is woven into the very fabric
of our educational mission. This isn’t just about improving outcomes; it’s about nurturing happy, resilient individuals ready to face the world.
This blog is part of the new blog series from Antwis Collaborative –
The Leadership Lens.
If you enjoyed this blog, please take a look at the Antwis Collaborative website. Home (antwiscollaborative.co.uk)
This blog was created by:
Lily Blakeledge
Media and Content Editor
The Association of Mental Health in Education
Get support from dedicated mental health specialists AMHIE – The
Association of Mental Health in Education. They offer membership, training,
updates, advice, resources and help – for free. Discover more here:
https://amhie.com/
Connect with Us: Let’s explore how Antwis Collaborative can support your leadership and your school. Home (antwiscollaborative.co.uk
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