Autumn's arrival brings more than just cooler weather and colourful leaves; it’s also a reminder that it's time to pay attention to something far more important in our schools – mental health. World Mental Health Day falls on the 10th of October and this year it's shining a light on mental well-being at work, which is quite relevant for our busy school communities.
The latest figures from the Mind are concerning: more young people in the UK than ever have higher mental health needs than ever, with the percentage affected jumping up to 1 in 6 young people (aged 5-16). Nearly one-third of 16-24 year olds in the UK (31%) reported some evidence of depression or anxiety in 2017 to 2018. Since individuals aged 16 to 24 may begin working depending on their career path, mental health must be taken seriously in the workplace.
Teachers aren't spared from these challenges. A Royal Society of Chemistry survey has revealed that burnout is driving many teachers to consider leaving their jobs earlier than planned. This survey revealed that 18% of teachers at mainstream state schools are planning to leave the profession within five years for reasons other than age/retirement since many teachers report that their work life is harming their mental health.
On World Mental Health Day, we get a real chance to turn things around and make our schools safe havens for mental well-being. Simple steps, like having informal 'Tea & Talk' sessions, could break the ice on mental health conversations. Making sure mental health education is part of the everyday school experience can also make a big difference.
The mental health of our schools couldn't be more important. By taking action, we can transform our schools into places where not just learning, but mental health thrives, leading to a healthier, tougher next generation. Let’s use the momentum of World Mental Health Day to push for real change in how our schools look after mental health, so that both pupils and teachers have brighter, more hopeful futures.