Emotional and mental health and wellbeing in education

Schools and colleges have an important role to play in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of their pupils and students, by developing approaches tailored to the particular needs of their pupils and students. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises that primary schools and secondary schools should be supported to adopt a comprehensive, ‘whole school’ approach to promoting the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people. The Department of Education (DfE) also identifies a whole school and college approach to promoting good mental health as a protective factor for children and young people’s mental health.