One in five children in the UK have a probable mental health disorder (Newlove-Delgado et al, 2023), and the number of children and young people in contact with mental health services has more than doubled since 2018 (NHS Digital, 2018;2024).
These troubling statistics highlight that we urgently need a greater focus on early intervention and prevention, where we don’t just repair mental health problems but take action before they develop or escalate.
Having worked in the sector for more than 20 years, I believe schools have an important role to play in the wellbeing of children and young people. They can provide powerful opportunities to build good mental health by helping students to achieve and thrive, through social and emotional development and instilling a sense of belonging, all of which can protect against mental ill-health.
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