“We do try sometimes to offer it during lunchtime, and sometimes teachers say, ‘You know what. “If a school leader comes to us and says, ‘I’ve had a lot of my teachers who’ve experienced deaths in their families since COVID began, can you do a specific group just addressing grief and loss? Both changes reduce the frequency teachers will be called upon to fill in for peers—eliminating a huge stressor. Moreover, the school held weekly group therapy meetings where teachers could talk about specific student academic and social-emotional needs and discuss the best strategies to take. The school began offering teachers the option to participate in individual therapy sessions with school social workers every other week.

New online resources designed by health and education experts will be provided to schools and colleges to boost mental health support for staff and pupils, encouraging them to talk more confidently about the anxieties and concerns they feel as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. “We therefore encourage schools, MHSTs and other services involved in whole school approaches to keep ‘pupil voice’ at the centre of their work, and share good practice and resources to best capture the views of children and young people when developing this.” Staff working in our partner schools have access to mental health services, comprehensive training opportunities and specialist safeguarding support and guidance. Governors can help transform their schools’ approach to staff wellbeing and mental health.

Remember to consistently signpost support to staff through internal communication channels so they have visibility of what is available. Anna Freud delivers the Schools and Colleges Early Support Service, an online wellbeing programme for the whole school. One of the best central collections of primary wellbeing resources. This year’s theme, “This Is My Place,” focuses on belonging and the vital role schools play in creating emotionally secure environments where pupils can thrive. Children’s Mental Health Week (9–15 February 2026) is an opportunity for schools to reflect on how every child feels safe, valued and included.

Enhanced Wellbeing Package

• Videos, webinars and teaching materials, produced in partnership with charities, will be made available to schools and colleges, helping to foster conversations about mental health and reassure many young people who are worried about the impact of the virus on their lives.
• Employers take a survey that assesses their workplace culture, employee benefits, education and training, and equity and accessibility.
• The Safe and Well in Education Framework and training programs helped simplify processes and fostered a culture of accountability and shared responsibility.
• Use the filters to sort resources based on subtopic and/or preparedness action.
• Left unaddressed, that stress could lead to a massive exodus of educators.

Children and young people or their parents or carers can contact their GP or speak to NHS 111 online to find out about the support available through CYPMH services. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health. We asked teachers what they do to look after their wellbeing, and this is what they said. Advice guides and practical tools to help your school take a whole school approach to wellbeing. A guide for school and college staff to support themselves and others at risk of self-harm.

It is unfortunate that at times schools may experience a crisis caused by a traumatic event such as the sudden death of a colleague or pupil, or a situation or event in which an employee may feel overwhelmed or has difficulty coping. An invaluable service available around the clock (24/7), therefore providing the opportunity Battle over school mental health and SEL for your employees to access this support either in school or within the privacy of their own home enabling immediatesupport mechanisms to all employees whenever an issue arises. • A confidential support and counselling service, enabling employees to access assistance on a wide range of topics including everything from dealing with depression, stress and anxiety, to alcohol and drug abuse, family or relationship issues and even legal or tax support. Our Enhanced Wellbeing Package provides School’s/Trust’s/MAC’s with the opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of employees in additional by engaging and motivating staff through employee incentives. This can affect your mental health and wellbeing.

Top tips for young people: Kindness

Videos and classroom-ready resources exploring emotions and belonging. Download activity ideas and theme-based packs for younger children. We tackle a wide range of leadership issues, offering best practice, case studies and in-depth information, advice and guidance. A free-to-download digital edition is also available via -update.com/content/downloads This article first appeared in Headteacher Update’s Summer Term Edition 2025.

What is staff mental health and wellbeing in a school setting?

Like physical health, mental health is a spectrum, ranging from illness to well to flourishing. This 45 minute online course covers the importance of self-care in the life of a teacher, and ways to ensure it is a part of their teaching. This can be achieved by creating opportunities for staff to connect and engage with one another through non-work related activities. In line with best practice, consult with staff about changes. This can include encouraging and taking regular breaks and finishing on time.