As an educator, one thing that continues to concern me is pupil mental health. It’s become a growing issue in schools, and there’s no magic wand to fix it and there is no money to throw at the problem. Children are struggling, and if we don’t pay attention to the warning signs, we risk letting them down. The pandemic’s aftermath, social media pressures, and the academic expectations placed on young shoulders are all taking a toll. But where do we even start in addressing this? I am a massive advocate of prevention over cure but nationally, we are not managing either very effectively.

Let’s unpack some of the main issues pupils are dealing with today and what we, as educators and parents, can do about them.

1. The Social Media Trap

We all know that social media is like a double-edged sword. It’s a place where children feel connected, but it’s also a breeding ground for anxiety, comparison, and cyberbullying. Our pupils are bombarded with unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and happiness, and it’s affecting self-esteem. The constant barrage of “likes,” “follows,” and TikTok trends can make even the most confident children question their worth – and adults as well.

What can we do? Start the conversation. Help them understand that what they see online isn’t real life and find evidence (e.g. show use of filters to improve images). Encourage digital detoxes boundaries and create a school culture where face-to-face interaction and true human connection is valued more than screen time.

2. The Pressure to Be Perfect

Academic pressure has always been there, but now it feels relentless. Our students are led to believe by a variety of sources that they need to achieve top grades to secure a successful future, but the cost of this pressure is their mental wellbeing. The constant fear of failure can lead to anxiety, burnout, and in extreme cases, self-harm. Perfectionism is sneaking into the minds of even the youngest pupils, making school feel like a battleground rather than a place of learning and growth.

We need to take a step back. Remind them (and ourselves) that learning is more than just about grades—it’s about growth, curiosity, and resilience. Celebrate effort, not just results, and make space for mental health breaks in the school day. I know plenty of adults who did well despite not getting any GCSEs – their other social and emotional skills got them where they needed to be.

3. Loneliness in the Midst of It All

You’d think in such a connected world, loneliness wouldn’t be an issue, but it’s cropping up everywhere. Pupils are surrounded by people, yet many feel completely alone. The isolation that came with remote learning during the pandemic hasn’t fully faded away – they are subconsciously stored, and some are still struggling to reintegrate. Friendships that once felt strong are now fragile, and making new connections feels harder than ever.

What can we do? In schools, we need to build safe, inclusive environments where everyone belongs. Buddy systems, wellbeing check-ins, and peer support and pastoral care networks can make a world of difference. Sometimes, all it takes is one person showing that they care to break the cycle of loneliness.

4. Trauma and Grief

We can’t forget that the past few years have been traumatic for many of our pupils. Some have lost loved ones, faced financial insecurity at home, or experienced domestic issues. The emotional scars from the pandemic and other life issues aren’t always visible, but they’re real and raw. Schools are seeing more pupils with anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD-like symptoms. It’s heartbreaking to watch, but we can’t ignore it.

The solution? More support. Schools need to be equipped with proper mental health services—counsellors, therapists, and mental health first aiders. And for those of us on the frontlines, let’s be trauma-informed in our approach. That means understanding that behaviour issues often stem from deeper emotional pain and being patient as we help pupils heal. Clearly, resources are lacking in this area but could your school look into initiative sponsorship from business or training staff in learning mentoring and pastoral care?

5. Overwhelm and Burnout

Pupils are facing burnout, too. It’s not just teachers who feel overwhelmed by the never-ending to-do lists and demands. Children are juggling school, homework, extracurriculars, family expectations, and trying to have some kind of social life. It’s a lot. For some, it’s too much.

The solution? We can make a difference by teaching time management and the importance of downtime (which is not laziness). Let’s model healthy boundaries and remind them that it’s okay to say no sometimes. Not every moment of their life needs to be productive—rest is just as important.

Final Thoughts: Let’s Keep Talking

Pupil mental health is complex and there’s no quick fix, but the first step is acknowledging the issues, continuing to work towards getting better conditions and resource by keeping the conversation going. Encourage open dialogue, check in with your pupils regularly, and remind them that their mental health matters more than their grades. Schools can and should be a place where children feel supported, understood, and valued—not just academically but emotionally, too. Parents can also help by reflecting on acknowledging their own anxieties and considering how this translates to their children. As a parent, your children are more likely to be happy if you are so work on your own needs as well!

We’re all in this together, and if we look after our and children’s mental health now, we’ll be giving them the tools to thrive in the future.

If you want to chat more about supporting pupil mental health, feel free to reach out or join our wellbeing groups for educators on Facebook. There’s one for teachers, SENCOs and EYFS SENCOs. Let’s work together to create a more compassionate school environment!

Thanks for reading,

Lynn