Every day, educators are witness to students grappling with mental health challenges. While these issues affect a student’s overall well-being, they also impact classroom engagement and academic success.
In recent years, the conversation around mental health in education has become more urgent. But knowing how to respond effectively, especially in a school setting, isn’t always clear. How can educators recognize signs of distress? What resources are available for them to offer? And how can schools create environments where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn?
This guide explores why mental health matters in schools, the challenges students face, and the steps educators can take to create a healthier, more supportive learning environment. No matter how you interact with students, you’ll find practical insights, current data, and tools you can use to make a meaningful difference.
In the words of the World Health Organization, mental health is “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.” Beyond this, it influences how we think, feel, act, and make choices — which is why prioritizing mental health is essential at every stage of life, from childhood through adulthood.
In the context of schools, mental health encompasses students’ ability to manage their emotions, work through challenges, build healthy relationships (with both peers and authority figures), and thrive academically and personally. In fact, there’s an established link between mental health and academic performance, which means that when students have strong mental health, they are also more likely to succeed in the classroom. This also means that unaddressed mental health struggles can interfere with students’ ability to learn, making it more difficult for them to meet academic expectations.
It’s important to note that everyone experiences periods of emotional ups and downs, and just like physical health, mental health can fluctuate over time. Supporting mental health in schools means fostering an environment where students can develop the skills and access the resources they need to maintain or regain well-being.
While mental health is something that everyone has, mental health disorders (also called mental illnesses) refer to conditions that disrupt a person’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors, or ability to function in everyday life. These disorders aren’t only periods of stress or sadness, they involve ongoing symptoms that interfere with a person’s well-being and ability to thrive.
For children and adolescents, mental health disorders may present differently than they do in adults. For example, students who are struggling might seem withdrawn, frequently overwhelmed, or unusually irritable. Others may act out, lose interest in school, or have difficulty keeping up with routines and expectations. Because these behaviors can sometimes be written off as “just a phase” or a result of specific disciplinary issues, it’s easier for early signs of mental illnesses to be overlooked.
Because mental health disorders exist on a spectrum, some students may need long-term support and clinical treatment, while others may benefit from short-term strategies or school-based interventions. Either way, schools play a vital role in recognizing when something isn’t right and helping connect students and their families with the resources they need.
Across the country, schools are in the midst of a mental health crisis among children and teens. While the issue isn’t exactly new, its impact has deepened in recent years, especially following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, more students have reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional distress, yet many continue to struggle without the support they need.
Unfortunately, many students never receive that support. In 2024, nearly 56% of American youth with major depression did not receive treatment, with some states seeing rates of untreated depression as high as 82%. Barriers such as stigma, lack of access to care, and limited school-based resources leave too many students to navigate their mental health struggles without help.
While mental health challenges affect all students, the burden isn’t evenly distributed. Data from the CDC show that roughly 40% of high schoolers experience feelings of sadness and hopelessness, while 29% report poor mental health. Among LGBTQ+ students, that figure reached 52%. Girls also reported concerning levels, with 57% experiencing the same feelings. These patterns point to a growing need for inclusive, responsive support systems within schools — especially for students who already face marginalization or identity-based stress.
When mental health needs go unaddressed, the consequences impact much more than students’ personal well-being, it also affects their academic performance. Research from the Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health shows that children ages 6–17 who face mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges are three times more likely to repeat a grade. High school students experiencing recent signs of depression are also twice as likely to drop out compared to peers without those symptoms. Outcomes like these reflect how profoundly mental health influences a student’s ability to focus, stay engaged, and feel a sense of belonging in school.
Mental health concerns among students can take many different forms. These are 10 of the most common issues affecting students today:
These occur when individuals experience anxiety that goes beyond occasional worry. Generalized anxiety, panic disorders, and social anxiety can cause physical symptoms, avoidance behaviors, or persistent fears that make it difficult for students to focus or participate in class.
Depression in children and teens often presents as irritability, fatigue, withdrawal, or a loss of interest in activities that they once enjoyed. Students may struggle with motivation, self-worth, or a sense of hopelessness that impacts both their academic and social lives.
Whether in person or online, bullying can result in long-term emotional distress. Victims may experience anxiety, depression, or trauma-related symptoms. Cyberbullying, in particular, can feel inescapable and magnify feelings of isolation and low self-esteem.
Some students place intense pressure on themselves to achieve academically, whether due to personal drive or family expectations. This pressure can lead to chronic stress, burnout, and in some cases, anxiety or disordered thinking.
Students who have faced (or are currently facing) abuse, neglect, community violence, or household dysfunction may carry trauma into the classroom. These experiences can disrupt brain development and emotional regulation, leading to heightened reactivity, distrust, or difficulty concentrating.
Feeling disconnected from peers or lacking a sense of belonging can have a profound effect on a student’s emotional well-being. These feelings of isolation may stem from social anxiety, bullying, cultural differences, or identity-based exclusion.
Conditions such as ADHD or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) can impact how students engage with learning and authority figures. These students may struggle with impulse control, focus, or emotional regulation, often leading to misinterpretation of their needs as purely disciplinary.
Situations such as divorce, economic hardship, housing insecurity, or substance abuse in the home can all place emotional strain on students. When a young person’s basic needs or safety feel uncertain, school can become a secondary priority, or even a source of additional stress.
Adolescence in particular is a time of self-discovery, and for many students, that includes navigating questions of gender, sexuality, culture, and/or belonging. Students who feel “different” and unsupported may internalize these feelings as shame or develop low self-worth.
Some students turn to alcohol or other substances as a way to cope with stress, alleviate peer pressure, or lessen emotional pain. Substance use can quickly compound mental health issues and interfere with both academics and relationships.
Creating a school environment that promotes mental health begins with education. This provides students with the tools they need to better understand themselves and their classmates. If you’re looking for ways to foster a supportive atmosphere at your school, we recommend taking these steps:
The education industry is always changing and evolving, perhaps now more than ever. Learn how you can be prepared by downloading our eBook.
Supporting student mental health starts with well-equipped educators, but teachers and school staff need support, too. With increasing awareness of the importance of mental health in schools, a growing number of organizations now offer free and low-cost resources tailored to the needs of students and the adults who support them.
Building a mentally healthy school environment starts with intentional, consistent actions from both administrators and educators. Below are tips and tools you can use to foster a culture where mental well-being is prioritized every day.
Supporting mental health in schools is a necessary part of helping students succeed. By creating supportive, inclusive environments and equipping educators with the right tools, schools can help students reach their full potential.
If you’re looking to deepen your knowledge and become a stronger advocate for student well-being, consider the University of San Diego’s Bullying Prevention in Our Schools Certificate. This flexible online program is designed for educators, counselors, administrators, and staff who are interested in learning how to reduce the impact of bullying.
Together, we can ensure that every student feels safe, seen, and empowered to thrive.
Download eBook: 18 Signs a Student is Struggling