Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

Overall, it is estimated that one in ten children and young people have a diagnosable mental disorder – the equivalent of three pupils in every classroom across the country. For well over a decade the important role played by schools and colleges in promoting good mental health and wellbeing among children and young people has been a prominent theme of national UK policy.

The Supporting Mental Health in Schools and Colleges, 2016-2017 survey was commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) in order to understand what schools, colleges and other educational institutions in England currently do to support the mental health and well-being of their pupils, and to explore their experiences of putting this provision into place. The DfE intends for this evidence to provide a basis for future work, including research into effective practice and gaps in provision.

This survey was carried out in the final term of the academic year 2015-16, and in the first two terms of the academic year 2016-17. The survey forms part of a wider, mixed methods project exploring mental health and character education provision in schools and colleges across England.

Further information and publications from the survey can be found at GOV.UK's Supporting mental health in schools and colleges webpage.


Main Topics:

The primary aim of the survey was to gain a representative profile of provision for mental health and character education within schools, colleges and other educational institutions, as well as providing an understanding of the issues that institutions face in delivering provision.

The key topics include the promotion of mental health and well-being, identification of those with particular needs and the support of young people with mental health needs.