Mental health and wellbeing within schools
Three quarters of lifelong mental health conditions begin before the age of 25, with half emerging by just 14. These aren’t just statistics; they reflect the reality of thousands of children and young people across the UK. In 2023, an NHS England survey found that one in five children aged 8–16 was likely to have a mental health disorder. That’s a sharp rise from one in six in 2021, and one in nine in 2017.
The message is clear: more young people are struggling, and schools are being asked to step in, not just to teach, but to notice, to listen, and to care.
For many staff, this responsibility feels overwhelming. Time is limited, training is inconsistent, and stigma still shapes how mental health is understood. Teachers often spot the early signs, but without the right support, they’re left trying to manage more than they’re equipped for.
Meanwhile, the system is under strain. Over the past decade, the mental health workforce has grown by just 1%, while demand has surged by more than 20% (Health Foundation). In response, the Labour Government has pledged that every pupil will have access to a Mental Health Support Team (MHST) by 2029/30. It’s a step in the right direction – but today only 59% of secondary schools, 25% of primary schools, and 31% of special schools currently have MHST support.
The Young Advisors deliver an MHA assembly
So, what can be done to bridge this gap?
Associate Development Solutions, in collaboration with the Midlands Young Advisors, a team of young people with lived experience of mental health, is delivering the Mental Health Ambassadors Programme in schools. The initiative aims to:
- Improve the wellbeing of young people involved.
- Raise awareness and understanding of mental health.
- Reduce stigma across school communities.
- Inspire interest in mental health careers.
“People always know that they can speak to me, and I’ll be there to help… I didn’t know a lot about different types of mental health issues, and I know a lot more now.”
Mental Health Ambassador
In 2023, we partnered with an MHST and three schools in Staffordshire to train 20 Mental Health Ambassadors (MHAs). In 2024, we continued the programme in Nottingham, training a further 18 students.
What does the training involve?
The programme combines two core elements:
Mental Health Training
MHAs explore key topics including emotional wellbeing, stigma, equality and diversity, and low-level peer support.
ILM Level 2 Young Leaders Award
The ILM Level 2 Young Leaders Award is a nationally recognised qualification designed for learners aged 14 to 24. It provides young people with their first insight into leadership skills through two core modules: self-leadership, and leadership skills.
Training is delivered through four in-person sessions with our programme team, creating a supportive and engaging environment for growth. MHAs go on to lead assemblies, share their voices, and champion mental health across their schools.
Our programme evaluation shows that MHAs gain confidence, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of mental health. Highlights include:
- A 37% increase in MHAs’ understanding of how to care for their own mental health.
- Greater confidence in public speaking and peer support.
- Increased interest in mental health careers – especially among students who hadn’t considered this path before.
“I wanted to get involved… because I felt like the school needed to know more around mental health and how it can affect people… I did it so I could help my friends.”
Mental Health Ambassador
Overall, the young people who trained and became MHAs all reported growing confidence, learning new skills, and applying the skills they learnt through the mental health training and the leadership training to the MHA role.
The Mental Health Ambassadors Programme is more than training. It’s a reminder that change doesn’t always come from the top down. Sometimes, it starts with a student standing up in assembly, saying, “It’s okay to talk about how you feel.”
Looking ahead
The 2025–26 programme is already underway, with three Nottingham schools joining the initiative — a new wave of young ambassadors ready to speak up, challenge stigma, and inspire change in their communities!
A question for you to take away
What would it look like if every student had a peer champion for mental health?
