📚 School-Based Mental Health Support: What Actually Works?

📚 School-Based Mental Health Support: What Actually Works?

A 2025 review by Andrews & Foulkes looked at mental health programs in UK high schools and asked:

Do these school-based interventions help teens with anxiety and depression?

🧠 Here’s what they found:

✅

Yes, they help — but only when done right

🎯 School-based mental health programs can reduce anxiety and depression

…but not all programs are created equal.

💡 What makes a difference?

👩‍⚕️ Trained mental health professionals

Programs run by psychologists or therapists worked better than those led by regular school staff.

👉 Expertise matters.

🚪

Let students opt in, don’t force it

Universal programs (where every student has to join) were less effective.

🗣️ Teens want choice. Letting them decide builds trust and engagement.

🙋‍♀️

Involve students in the process

Want a program to actually land?

🎙️ Ask students what they need. Let them help shape it.

It boosts relevance and makes them feel seen.

🧭 What this means for schools & policymakers:

• 💰 Invest in programs with trained professionals

• 🧍 Offer opt-in support, not one-size-fits-all

• 🧑‍🎓 Put student voices at the centre

🌱 Bottom line?

School programs can absolutely help young people’s mental health —

but only if we listen, adapt, and trust students to lead too.

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Reference:

Andrews, J., & Foulkes, L. (2025). School-based interventions for depression and anxiety in UK secondary schools: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Mental Health, 34(2), 123–135. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2025.2512332