Tips for Schools to Support Mental Health

As educators, you have a unique opportunity to create safe environments for students to deal with mental health challenges, and help young people feel empowered both at school and beyond.

The Big Sister Experience is all about uplifting students and the people who care about them. We want to help you inspire the next generation to become the confident, capable, and resilient individuals of tomorrow.

Our heart-centred approach is what makes us unique; every student should feel seen and heard. If you’re on the same page, here are some simple strategies that can be used to help you support your students’ wellbeing.

Promote Open Dialogue About Mental Health

Creating a school culture that openly discusses mental health reduces the stigma around it. Normalising the conversation helps students feel comfortable about seeking help. You can host mental health awareness events, integrate mental health discussions into the curriculum with programs, and ensure students know who to turn to for support.

Implement Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs like The Big Sister Experience Workshops teach students practical strategies for dealing with mental health challenges, as well as other important life skills like emotional regulation, empathy, and safe decision-making. They provide an opportunity to cover topics that might not be part of the regular curriculum, from social media to body image and relationships. These programs will not only empower students in their personal lives, but are also shown to improve their attitudes toward school.

At The Big Sister Experience, we also have free resources for teachers who want to integrate SEL into their classrooms.

Provide Mental Health Training for Staff

Professional development sessions on mental health are super important for early intervention, and supporting student wellbeing effectively and compassionately.

The Big Sister Experience workshops for teachers are backed by research, created by educators for educators. They’re designed to help you recognise signs of mental health problems including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders — as well as provide plenty of practical strategies and take-home resources for supporting students and making these topics a part of your curriculum.

Encourage Mindfulness Activities

For both primary and secondary school students, mindfulness activities are a great way to improve emotional regulation.

We suggest starting or ending the school day with a short mindfulness exercise. It can be anything from a simple meditation activity and breathing exercises to colouring, yoga, or activities on a mindfulness app. Adding these techniques into the school day can give students quick and effective tools to calm the mind when needed — a great tool for reducing stress and anxiety.

Provide Support For Families

Supporting students doesn’t stop at the school door; it extends to their families too. You can offer guidance and assistance to help families of children struggling with mental health.

Currently we run a parent workshop on anxiety, which is facilitated through your school. If you think families in your school community could benefit from this, reach out today to arrange a session for parents. Our goal is to strengthen the overall support network for students both in school and at home so they have constant access to support and advice.

Encourage Peer Support Systems

Peer support programs, like buddy systems or mentoring, can make a significant impact by providing relatable support and companionship to students who feel isolated. Having a peer to turn to can often make it easier for students to open up about their struggles compared to approaching adults.

Consider creating a peer mentoring program where older students team up with younger ones to provide guidance and support. Giving the older students some basic training in listening and problem-solving will not only help them support younger students, but also equips them with strategies to support themselves or each other.

Plus, it can help the students who take on a mentor role build feelings of empathy, independence, and confidence in their leadership skills.

Create Safe Spaces

Students need designated safe spaces where they can unwind during high-stress moments. Quiet zones, relaxation rooms, or even spots in libraries and counselling offices can give students a peaceful place to calm down and regroup if they’re feeling overwhelmed. Make sure students know where these spaces are and how to access them.

Any room can become a safe space with comfortable seating, calming music, fidget tools, and mindfulness activities. It might be a good idea to look at some of our free posters with positive messaging for classrooms.

Using these strategies, you can ensure that every student has the tools they need to thrive. Whether you need help with creating an open dialogue, finding the right student wellbeing workshop, or offering support to your education team, we’d love to help enhance your school’s mental health program.

Let’s empower your students together.Book a discovery call with our Big Sisters today.