Good mental health and wellbeing help children and young people to thrive, learn and reach their potential. Schools play a vital role in promoting wellbeing, strengthening resilience and helping pupils access support when needed.

The Buckinghamshire Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025 found that trusted adults within school are an important source of support for children and young people experiencing problems or worries. Supporting emotional health and wellbeing therefore remains a key local priority and an important part of giving every child and young person the opportunity to flourish.

National policies and guidance

Promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools and colleges

How we’re helping children and teachers with their mental health and wellbeing

Promoting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing: a whole school or college approach

Keeping children safe in education

Mental health support in schools and colleges

NICE guideline NG223: Social, emotional and mental wellbeing in primary and secondary education

PSHE education and mental health and wellbeing

Mental health and wellbeing are important parts of Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education, and Health Education. Through age-appropriate teaching, pupils learn how to recognise and discuss emotions, build positive relationships, look after their mental wellbeing, and seek help when needed. Schools should also ensure that pupils know how to raise concerns and where they can access support. Read the Department for Education’s statutory guidance on Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education.

The PSHE Association is a charity and membership organisation supporting high-quality PSHE education. It provides mental health teaching resources for members and non-members, although some resources require membership.

Resources, initiatives and training offers

Schools should consider pupils' individual needs, safeguarding responsibilities, accessibility and available evidence when selecting resources or interventions. Support should complement, rather than replace, appropriate assessment, referral and specialist care.

• Fully funded Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid and Suicide First Aid training - Buckinghamshire Mind, in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council, offers funded courses for eligible Buckinghamshire public sector and VCSE employees or volunteers, subject to current eligibility criteria and course availability.
• Anna Freud Schools and Colleges - Resources to support mental health and wellbeing in schools and colleges.
• Anna Freud training and events - Training and events for professionals working with children and young people.
• Become a Senior Mental Health Lead - Current guidance, resources and information about development and training for senior mental health leads.
• YoungMinds resources for professionals - Mental health resources for professionals working in schools.
• Bucks Mental Health Support Team
• MindEd
• Whole-school mental health and wellbeing i-THRIVE audit tool and resources for senior mental health leads - helps schools review their emotional wellbeing and mental health provision, identify priorities and develop actions
• Buckinghamshire Healthy Schools Award - supports schools to take a whole-school approach to health and wellbeing

Local and national sources of support  

Urgent mental health support

If you need urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for people of all ages, including children and young people.

In an emergency

If someone is in immediate danger, has seriously harmed themselves, or needs urgent medical attention, call 999 or go to A&E.

Local Buckinghamshire services

Buckinghamshire CAMHS Single Point of Access - Information about referrals and access to Buckinghamshire child and adolescent mental health services.

Buckinghamshire Family Information Service - Information and support for children, young people and families.

Mental health support for children and young people with SEND - Local information for children and young people with SEND and their families

Health for Kids Buckinghamshire - Health information for primary-school-aged children.

Health for Teens: School Nursing and ChatHealth – Children and young people can access confidential advice from Buckinghamshire’s School Nursing Service. Text 07312 263 295.

Buckinghamshire Mind Children and Young People's Services - Mental health information, support and advice for young people, parents and carers.

Bucks Youth Drug and Alcohol Support Service - Free, confidential support for young people affected by their own or someone else’s drug or alcohol use. Available to under-18s in Buckinghamshire and to some young adults aged 18 to 24 with additional needs.

National helplines and support

Childline - Free, confidential support for anyone under 19 in the UK. Call 0800 1111.

YoungMinds - Mental health information and advice for young people, parents and carers.

Samaritans - Free listening support. Call 116 123.

Shout - Free, confidential 24/7 text support. Text SHOUT to 85258.

Suicide Prevention and Postvention Guide for Bucks 

Suicide Prevention and Postvention Guide for Bucks 

This guide has been developed to assist schools and colleges in Buckinghamshire to reduce deaths by suicide and respond effectively to any death by suicide within the school or college community. This local guide has been developed based on the framework of the Papyrus Guide and includes Buckinghamshire local information and support agencies available to support schools and colleges in preparing for and responding to a student death by suicide. 

Amparo (Listening Ear) - Thames Valley Suicide Bereavement Support Service 

Provides practical and emotional support for anyone (adults, children/young people, and families) affected by suicide in the Thames Valley area. Support can be provided one-to-one, to family groups, groups of colleagues or peers. This is a free service which is completely confidential and can provide short-term or longer-term support. 

Telephone: 0330 088 9255 

Guide for schools and colleges responding to a suspected suicide or sudden death

Whilst rare, a suspected suicide or sudden death can have a profound effect on pupils, students and staff. Buckinghamshire Council Public Health has co-produced guidance with schools, colleges, local partners and people with lived experience to help education settings prepare for and respond to these incidents, minimise harm and reduce the risk of further suicides or self-harm.

Schools and colleges are encouraged to read the guidance before an incident occurs, so that relevant staff understand the recommended actions and local support available.