How Schools Can Support Student Mental Health: 6 Strategies That Can Make a Lifelong Difference
Mental health challenges among students are more common than ever. According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 5 children experiences mental health struggles - many of which go unnoticed or unsupported. These early challenges can have a ripple effect, influencing emotional regulation, social development, academic outcomes, and later in life, substance use and co-occurring disorders.
At Dunham House, we provide dual-diagnosis treatment to adults - but the road to recovery often starts long before adulthood. Many of our residents reflect on adolescent experiences where early intervention could have changed the course of their lives. That’s why it's so important to talk about the role schools play in supporting mental health and preventing future harm.
1. Creating Safe, Supportive Learning Environments
Students need to feel physically and emotionally safe to learn. When classrooms foster a sense of belonging, respect, and inclusion, students are better equipped to manage stress and ask for help.
Ways to create safer school environments:
Clear, zero-tolerance anti-bullying policies
Designated “safe spaces” for LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse students
Structured peer mentoring programs
Restorative justice circles during classroom meetings
These approaches encourage open communication, connection, and emotional resilience—foundational tools for lifelong mental wellness.
“Schools implementing SEL programs report an 11% increase in academic performance.” – CASEL, 2022
2. Integrating Mental Health into the Curriculum
Mental health isn’t a one-off lesson—it should be embedded into everyday learning. When schools treat emotional literacy like academic literacy, students gain essential tools to understand and manage what they’re feeling.
Examples across subjects:
Biology
Exploring how the brain processes stress, trauma, and mood changes
Literature
Analyzing characters through an emotional or psychological lens
Physical Education
Introducing mindfulness and movement-based relaxation techniques
Schools can also adopt full SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) programs that include:
Naming and managing emotions
Role-playing healthy conflict resolution
Guidance around social media boundaries
Activities that promote growth mindset and self-worth
These experiences normalize asking for help and teach healthy coping before harmful ones take root.
3. Strengthening School Counselling and Mental Health Services
School counselors are often the first professional mental health contact for young people. Increasing access to their services is one of the most impactful things a school can do.
Best practices include:
Maintaining a manageable student-to-counselor ratio
Providing teletherapy options where available
Offering confidential, self-led check-ins and mental health screeners
Training 80% or more of staff in youth mental health first aid
Support systems should be tiered—offering universal wellness programming for all students, targeted group support for at-risk youth, and individual services for those in crisis.
Many adults in our care at Dunham House say they knew something was wrong during high school, but didn’t know where to turn. Earlier access to counseling could have helped them navigate those formative years with more confidence and support.
4. Equipping Educators with Mental Health Tools
Teachers are not therapists, but they are on the front lines of student support. Often, they’re the first to notice a change in behaviour, mood, or performance—and they need tools to respond effectively.
Professional development should include:
Recognizing early signs of anxiety, depression, and trauma
Managing emotional dysregulation or outbursts in class
Supporting neurodivergent learners with classroom accommodations
Prioritizing their own wellness to avoid burnout
With the right training and support, educators become powerful allies in student well-being.
5. Engaging Families and Community Partners
No school can do this alone. Mental health support is most effective when it includes families, community organizations, and local health partners.
Suggestions include:
Hosting workshops for parents on common mental health concerns
Partnering with clinics, hospitals, or nonprofits for referrals and education
Organizing mental health awareness events
Sharing a monthly calendar of community wellness resources
At Dunham House, we know recovery is a family journey. That’s why we offer programs like our Family Services Program to help loved ones better understand, support, and heal alongside the individual in treatment.
If you’re concerned about a young adult in your life, equipping yourself with tools and education is a powerful place to start.
6. Using Data to Improve Mental Health Initiatives
Tracking mental health trends in schools allows leaders to make informed, timely decisions that benefit the whole student body.
Data worth monitoring:
Annual mental wellness surveys
Trends in absenteeism, behavioural issues, or disengagement
Utilisation rates for school counselling and wellness services
Feedback from students, parents, and teachers
When schools let data guide their efforts, they can adapt proactively—catching issues early, adjusting programs, and allocating resources where they’re needed most.
Why This Matters: Prevention Is the Strongest Medicine
At Dunham House, we often work with adults who never received help as kids. Many trace their mental health or substance use struggles back to unaddressed pain in adolescence—bullying, anxiety, trauma, or emotional neglect.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Supporting students early—at home, in school, and in the community—can change lives. It’s not about perfection; it’s about presence, awareness, and access to the right tools.
If you’re a parent, educator, or someone concerned about a young person’s well-being, we’re here to help. Reach out to our team to learn more about how Dunham House supports mental health recovery and how our Family Services Program might support you too.
About Dunham House
Located in Quebec's Eastern Townships, Dunham House is a residential treatment centre specializing in mental health and addiction. We are the only residential facility of our kind in Quebec that operates in English.
Our evidence-based treatment programs include a variety of therapeutic activities such as art, music, yoga, and equine-assisted therapy. In addition to our residential services, we offer a full continuum of care with outpatient services at the Queen Elizabeth Complex in Montreal.
Click here more information about our programs and admissions