Here in the UK, our school children’s mental health has reached a critical tipping point. In both primary and secondary school settings, our youth are displaying very high levels of anxiety and depression which are becoming harder to ignore because of low attendance and poor engagement in school. Something has clearly changed among the school community with students feeling more overwhelmed with school life, and some teachers suggest the reasons lie beyond the school gates such as challenges at home, online, or within the students themselves.
This blog will go over some of the reasons of why our students’ mental health is deteriorating and how we can tackle it.
A system built on pressure
According to research, the heart of the issue is that we have a school system heavily reliant on performance-based accountability which is mentally straining for students that are constantly measured against national standards. Assessments like GCSEs and A-Levels feed directly into league tables, Ofsted inspections, and (possibly) unrealistic parental expectations.
This can create a climate in which students base their self-worth around academic success, putting pressure on them.
The role of social media in young people’s lives
Students spend a significant amount of time on the internet and especially on social media. Along with encouraging creativity and connection among students, it unfortunately comes at the cost of constant comparison between youth, as well as online harassment and the representation of unrealistic standards of happiness or beauty.
Social media can bring about feelings of being inadequate or mediocre when young people compare themselves to their favourite influencers and creators.
The cost of living crisis
As of 2025, over four million children in the UK officially live in poverty – a shocking figure. And for some students, school is their only safe environment. However, they enter school each day with more and more burdens on their shoulders, including insecure access to food and nutrition, unstable housing situations, and parental unemployment or low incomes. Any of these challenges can distract a student from their growth and development.
How can we fix the mental health crisis in schools?
One approach schools are considering is to bring mental health education into the core curriculum. This may involve sessions such as building resilience, helping develop emotional regulation, and teaching students awareness of those around them who may require help.
Another possibility schools are considering is ensuring easy access to trained mental health staff in every school, including those properly trained in child psychology and trauma-informed practice.
Some schools may also consider the opportunity of giving young people (especially the teenagers in secondary schools, sixth forms, and colleges) a voice in solving mental health issues alongside teachers. Student representation in wellbeing communities can enable them to act directly on feedback from their peers.
How can Bromcom MIS help you tackle the mental health crisis?
Bromcom MIS frees up time for teachers and staff in thousands of schools across the country, enabling them to spend more time with their students and offering them the support they need. With its rich functionality, it allows schools to cut back on their expensive third-party apps and save money, too, which they can then use to fund better mental health support for students.
You can learn more about Bromcom MIS on our website.
This blog was written by our work experience student, Mehmet Seckin, who joined us for a week in the summer to learn all about marketing at Bromcom.
