The wellbeing crisis in schools: what must change now?

June 2026

As expectations on schools continue to grow, so too do the tensions surrounding how wellbeing is understood, who is responsible for addressing it, and whether current approaches are meeting the scale of the challenge. What should the role of teachers and schools be in supporting student mental health?

Developed by paediatricians, educators, psychologists, researchers, and teachers, the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative upskills experienced teachers to become Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders and aims to increase the capacity of primary schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of their students.