Mental Health Support in Schools: What's Available and How to Access It

The Scale of the Challenge

The NHS Digital survey on children and young people's mental health paints a striking picture:

• 1 in 6 children aged 5-16 has a probable mental health disorder
• Rates have increased from 1 in 9 since 2017
• Anxiety is the most common issue, followed by behavioural difficulties and depression
• Girls are more affected in older age groups; boys more affected in younger groups
• Children from lower-income families are disproportionately affected

Schools are increasingly on the front line of mental health support, often identifying issues before anyone else.

What Schools Provide

Universal provision (for all pupils)

• PSHE curriculum — lessons on emotional wellbeing, relationships, and resilience
• Whole-school ethos — a culture of kindness, respect, and belonging
• Pastoral support — form tutors and year heads who know pupils well
• Assemblies and resources on mental health awareness
• Anti-bullying programmes

Targeted support (for some pupils)

• Wellbeing rooms or calm spaces — quiet rooms where children can go when overwhelmed
• School counsellors — many schools now employ or commission qualified counsellors
• Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs) — trained teaching assistants who provide 1:1 or small group support
• Peer mentoring schemes — older pupils supporting younger ones
• Bereavement support — specialist support for children who've experienced loss

Specialist support (for pupils with significant needs)

• Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) — NHS-funded teams based in schools (now covering around 35% of schools, expanding to 50%)
• Referral to CAMHS — Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services for more complex needs
• Educational psychologist involvement — for assessment and guidance
• Multi-agency working — coordinated support from health, education, and social care

Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs)

This is one of the most significant recent developments. MHSTs are NHS-funded teams that work directly in schools, providing:

• Mild to moderate mental health interventions (typically 6-8 sessions of CBT-based therapy)
• Support for school staff on mental health issues
• Help developing the school's whole-school approach
• A bridge between school and CAMHS for more complex cases

MHSTs are staffed by qualified mental health professionals and supervised by senior clinicians. The service is free and doesn't require a GP referral.

Accessing Support

Through school

1. Talk to your child's teacher or form tutor — they can refer to the school's internal support
2. Ask about the school counsellor — referral is usually straightforward
3. Check if the school has an MHST — ask the school office or SENCo
4. Request a meeting with the SENCo if needs are more complex

Through the NHS

• GP referral to CAMHS — for persistent, moderate to severe difficulties
• Self-referral — some CAMHS services accept self-referrals (check your local service)
• Crisis support — if your child is in immediate danger, contact your GP, call 111, or go to A&E

Waiting times

CAMHS waiting times are a significant issue, with some areas reporting waits of 6-12 months. In the meantime:

• School-based support can help
• Charities offer immediate help (see resources below)
• Your GP may be able to suggest interim support

Supporting Your Child at Home

For anxiety:

• Validate their feelings — "It's okay to feel worried. Let's talk about it"
• Avoid avoidance — helping your child avoid the thing they're anxious about usually makes anxiety worse
• Teach breathing techniques — slow, deep breaths activate the calming nervous system
• Maintain routines — predictability helps anxious children feel safe
• Limit social media — social media use is strongly linked to poor mental health in young people

For low mood:

• Stay connected — keep talking, keep doing things together
• Encourage physical activity — proven to improve mood
• Protect sleep — poor sleep and low mood are closely linked
• Watch for warning signs — withdrawal, changes in eating, talk of hopelessness
• Seek help early — don't wait for things to escalate

When to be concerned:

• Symptoms lasting more than two weeks
• Significant impact on daily life (school, friendships, family)
• Self-harm or talk of self-harm
• Dramatic changes in behaviour
• Refusal to attend school

Useful Resources

• Young Minds — leading children's mental health charity (parents' helpline: 0808 802 5544)
• Childline — 0800 1111 (free, confidential)
• Place2Be — school-based mental health support
• Anna Freud Centre — resources for schools and families
• Kooth — free online counselling for young people
• CAMHS finder — find your local CAMHS service

If you're worried about your child's mental health, trust your instincts. You know your child better than anyone. The earlier support begins, the better the outcomes — so don't wait for things to "get worse" before seeking help.