Here's how EdTech can support mental health in schools

For children, school is more than just a place for academic growth; it’s an environment that can shape their mental wellbeing for years to come.

Recent statistics highlight a growing mental health crisis within the UK education sector:

• More than 500 children a day in England are being referred to mental health services for anxiety.
• A quarter of a million (270,300) children and young people were still waiting for mental health support at the end of the year, after being referred to Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) in 2022-23. 
• Waiting times proved to be a persistent issue for many children, with nearly 40,000 experiencing waits of over two years. 

Poor mental health in schools is not limited to children; a recent study by the mental health charity Education Support found that teacher wellbeing is at a five-year low, with stress, insomnia and burnout all rising.

Amid a funding crisis, there has been an ongoing dialogue concerning how to provide better mental health support in educational environments - including how tech can alleviate some of the pressure. 

From harnessing the power of data to identify struggling pupils and improve safeguarding to making the most of specialist apps and online services, EdTech can be a beneficial tool when it comes to supporting mental health in schools. 

Here are just a few ways in which schools and MATs can utilise technology to improve staff and students’ mental wellbeing.

Counselling and therapy via accessible online services

For many schools, funding constraints or accessibility challenges can mean it’s difficult to have in-person mental health support available to every student. As a result, many young people may struggle in silence without access to professional guidance or a safe space to express their emotions. Without dedicated mental health resources, students who experience stress, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties may feel isolated, impacting their academic performance and overall well-being.

Increased investment in online therapy is rising within education environments as an alternative to having mental health experts on-site at all times. With the option of accessibility from anywhere according to the availability of students and therapists, remote mental health support has soared in the wake of the pandemic. Online therapy sessions enable students to speak with licensed counsellors from the comfort of their homes or school settings, offering greater flexibility and privacy.

Digital mental health resources

Digital support for mental health doesn't stop at online therapy. 

EdTech platforms offer a range of digital tools that provide mental health education, coping strategies, and self-help resources. These include:

• Mental health apps like Headspace, Calm, and MindShift, which teach users mindfulness, meditation, and stress management.
• Online courses and interactive content that educate students about emotional well-being, resilience, and coping strategies.
• Chatbots and AI-powered assistants that provide immediate support and can direct students to appropriate resources.

For students who may struggle to open up about their feelings, apps such as these can provide a safe space for students to explore their emotions, access coping strategies, and seek guidance at their own pace without fear of judgement.

Identifying struggling students through the power of data

When it comes to mental health, preventive measures and early intervention is key. However, students’ mental health can often be a difficult metric to monitor - many children do not show obvious signs they are struggling and can easily fly under the radar.

Schools with a robust data management system stand a significantly better chance at identifying issues early on and getting staff involved when needed. When schools invest in quality software that balances privacy and safeguarding with automated tech that can analyse trends, identify areas for improvement and measure the impact of interventions, teachers can keep track of student data easily and follow-up when concerning patterns in behaviour or attendance are observed. 

For example, by logging safeguarding reports in a secure system, schools can build a timeline of concerns, helping staff spot long-term issues. From incident reports to past referrals to child protection services, staff can keep an eye on vulnerable students and intervene when necessary. In some cases, this data may even need to be shared with external agencies, such as social services, police, and healthcare professionals, as a coordinated response to student welfare concerns. This is why it’s important that all information is recorded comprehensively and is easily accessible when required.

Sensitive data of this nature requires robust protection to keep personal information safe. If you’re unsure of how secure your data management systems are, it might be time for a data audit to identify areas of improvement, gaps in data collection, and potential risks related to data management.

Digital support for teachers

With overwhelming workloads and behaviour issues on the rise, it’s just not children who are struggling in schools.

The Teacher Wellbeing Index shows:

• 77% of all school staff experience symptoms of poor mental health due to work.
• More than one-third of staff score below 40 on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, indicating serious mental health concerns.
• The most common symptoms reported are insomnia (46%), irritability (44%), and difficulty concentrating (38%).

The need to relieve administrative strain on teachers has never been greater. This is where AI-assistive technology comes into play. Whether it’s longform essays or standardised tests, grading assessments is one of the most time-consuming aspects of teaching. AI tools are in the process of taking over the grading of multiple-choice, true/false, and even some types of short-answer or essay questions, helping teachers to focus on providing more detailed feedback on critical thinking tasks. AI can also recommend teaching resources, such as videos, articles, or activities, tailored to a specific topic or student need, which can save time in lessons and allow teachers to allocate their time to students who may need additional support.

There’s no quick fix when it comes to mental health - but a well-structured digital strategy with the capacity to support staff and students’ well-being can make a significant difference.

If you’re concerned about your school’s ability to provide digital support, it may be worth consulting with educational experts.

At Novatia, we specialise in providing IT solutions to schools and MATs across the country. We’ve worked with countless educational institutions to ensure their digital strategies are meeting the requirements of modern times - to find out more about how we can help you, please get in touch with us today.