Tracking Mental Health Trends in Schools

The mental health of school-aged children and adolescents has become a pressing concern across Australia, with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. As we enter 2025, the landscape of mental health initiatives in schools has evolved significantly, driven by growing awareness of mental health challenges among young people and the urgent need for early intervention.  

Schools are increasingly recognised as critical environments for promoting mental wellbeing, identifying early warning signs, and providing support. In this blog, we explore the current trends, challenges, and initiatives being implemented in Australia, shaping mental health support in Australian schools. 

The State of Mental Health Among Students 

Mental health concerns among Australian students are not a new concern. Recent data from the Resilient Youth: State of the Nation Report 2023 found around 36% of secondary school students report high levels of anxiety, depression, or both. That same survey highlights the disproportionate outcomes when it comes to gender, with more than half of the female students (58.5%) showing symptoms of depression, and nearly three in four (73.2%) showing anxiety. These numbers are drastically increased again when it comes to gender diverse students who had a high number of students showing depression (73.7%) and anxiety (78.3%), more concerningly within those numbers showing what was considered to be a “high risk”.  

Part One of the NAB Education Insights Special Report covers a more positive outlook when it comes to improvements in the mental health of students over the last few years, but it also highlights growing concerns among LGBTQI+ students and those from ethnic minorities, who are experiencing a decline in wellbeing and an increase in loneliness. 

The report indicates that LGBTIQ+ students are still much more likely to feel lonely compared to their peers, with 1 in 4 (25%) reporting “extremely high feelings of loneliness” compared to 1 in 10 (11%) of students who did not identify as LGBTIQ+. Other research by the Department of Health Victoria has highlighted a similar feeling among students from a minority ethnic background, reporting feeling lonelier compared with students from majority ethnic groups, implying that minority groups are still dealing with the effects of loneliness on a larger scale and require deeper social and cultural dynamics need to be addressed. 

Mental Health Trends in Schools 

School-Related Stress 

Students are reporting overwhelming increases in school-related stressors such as schoolwork, tests, and results dominated as the main concern, reflecting the high pressure that students feel to perform academically. Compounding this, aspects such as looks/appearance, lack of sleep and mental health also ranked highly, all of which are interlinked with the overall wellbeing of the student, which does have a significant impact on their academic performance. 

Impact of Screen Time

Educators have identified excessive screen time as a growing concern for children and young people. In fact, it was reported as the second biggest health issue affecting students, with concerns rising from 55% in 2022 to 58% in 2024. The relationship between screen time and mental health is complex, but it's clear that this is an area requiring further attention and intervention. 

Social Media Issues 

Furthering those complexities regarding screen time is the role that social media plays in the lives of school students. In this summary of their own 2024 Global Digital Report, the online media monitoring company Meltwater noticed that the trend of social media usage is going down in Australia, especially within the younger generation, as an attempt to balance their online and offline lives.  

However, the report also highlights some of the challenges associated with social media use. While students recognise the value of staying connected with friends and family, many do not feel that social media provides adequate support during challenging times. Additionally, there is a widespread perception that social media does not necessarily improve their lives, with some students even suggesting that it may contribute to their stress and anxiety. 

Declining Access to Mental Health Services 

Despite the growing need, there has been a concerning trend in access to mental health support services. The proportion of new clients accessing Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) subsidised mental health services has continued to decline. This gap in access to support is a critical issue that needs to be addressed to ensure students receive the help they need. 

Initiatives and Strategies to Address Mental Health in Schools 

Schools also have plenty of online support mechanisms available that can aid in informing students through this complex time, with organisations like ReachOut, Kids Helpline, and Beyond Blue having school-specific based resources. Alternatively, the Australian Department of Education developed the Student Wellbeing Hub, underpinned by the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework of 2018, which also provides resources and webinars for guidance and support. Various other initiatives and strategies have been implemented across Australia to support student mental health. Let's explore some of the key approaches being taken: 

Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) Initiative 

The Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) project, developed by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, is being adapted and implemented in South Australian primary schools. This initiative embeds a child mental health and wellbeing coordinator within schools to help find and manage emerging issues among students and provide connections between education, social, and health services. 

The success of the MHiPS pilot in Victoria, where more than 95% of mental health and wellbeing coordinators reported improved school capacity to support students' needs, has led to its expansion. The Victorian Government has committed $200 million to roll out MHiPS to every government and low-fee non-government primary school in Victoria by 2026. 

Mental Health Practitioners in Secondary Schools 

The Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) in Secondary Schools initiative provides vital support to all Victorian government secondary and specialist schools. Every Victorian government secondary school and specialist school with secondary-aged enrolments is now funded to employ an ongoing, school-based MHP. These practitioners contribute to whole-school approaches to mental health prevention and promotion, provide direct counselling support, and coordinate support for students with complex needs. 

Be You National Initiative 

Be You is a national mental health in education initiative delivered by Beyond Blue in collaboration with Early Childhood Australia and headspace. This program provides Australian educators with knowledge, tools, and resources to create positive, inclusive, and responsive learning communities. Be You is designed to be tailored to fit the needs of each learning community and helps educators enhance their knowledge and skills to support children and young people in achieving their best possible mental health. 

headspace Schools & Communities Programs 

headspace Schools & Communities offers a range of programs and services aimed at strengthening school communities to better support young people's mental health. Their focus areas include: 

1. Building mental health literacy and resilience 
2. Increasing confidence and ability to seek help 
3. Supporting response and recovery from critical events 
4. Working in partnership to create a more effective system

These programs deliver education and training for young people, encourage help-seeking behaviours, and provide tailored advice to organisations in responding to mental health crises. 

Challenges and Opportunities 

While these initiatives represent significant steps forward in addressing mental health in schools, several challenges remain: 

Stigma and Awareness 

Despite increased attention on mental health, stigma still exists. Continued efforts are needed to normalise conversations about mental health and encourage help-seeking behaviours among students. 

Resource Allocation 

Ensuring adequate funding and resources for mental health programs across all schools, particularly in rural and remote areas, remains a challenge. 

Teacher Training and Support 

Educators play a crucial role in supporting student mental health, but many feel underprepared or are even dealing with their own mental health issues and burnout. Ongoing professional development and support for teachers in mental health literacy and intervention strategies are essential. 

Integration of Technology 

While excessive screen time is a concern, technology also offers opportunities for innovative mental health interventions and support. Striking the right balance and leveraging technology effectively is an ongoing challenge and opportunity. 

Parental and Community Engagement 

Engaging parents and the broader community in supporting student mental health is crucial. Programs like headspace's parent and carer resources and workshops are a step in the right direction, but more comprehensive approaches are needed. 

Looking Ahead: A Holistic Approach to Student Wellbeing 

As we continue to track mental health trends in Australian schools, it is clear that a holistic, multi-faceted approach is necessary. This includes: 

1. Early intervention and prevention programs 
2. Integrated support services within schools 
3. Curriculum-based mental health education 
4. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of mental health initiatives 
5. Collaboration between education, health, and community sectors 

While the current trends in student mental health are concerning, the increased focus and innovative approaches being implemented across Australia provide hope for the future. Utilising analytics tools like the Learning Analytics Suite can enable key staff to involve themselves in the student’s wellbeing when it could matter most. As outlined in our resource on the Wellbeing Pulse, you can offer students the ability to reflect on their wellbeing via customisable questions and workflows to ensure schools stay on top on how their students are feeling at that exact moment. 

By addressing mental health as a fundamental aspect of education, we can work towards creating school environments that not only support academic achievement but also foster resilience, emotional wellbeing, and positive mental health outcomes for all students, leaving them to thrive both in and out of the classroom.