In this episode, Professor Jess Deighton, a leading children’s mental health expert, discusses the growing mental health challenges facing young people today and what this means for educators and schools. We dive into how student mental health impacts learning outcomes, the unique challenges teachers encounter in the classroom, and the critical importance of adopting a whole-school approach to wellbeing.

Jess offers evidence-based insights on effective mental health strategies for schools, highlighting what truly works (and what doesn’t) when supporting students. We discuss the power of fostering a sense of belonging, practical ways to build student resilience, and how teachers can support mental health without needing to be experts themselves.

Jess also give actionable tips and resources for promoting wellbeing in your school community, and why supporting student mental health is a shared responsibility for everyone in education. This episode is for anyone passionate about making a positive impact on student wellbeing and academic success.

Further resources mentioned:

Jess Deighton: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/research/research-strengths/mental-health/meet-professor-jessica-deighton

Anna Freud Mentally Healthy Schools Website: https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/

Youth Futures Foundation Report: https://youthfuturesfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Understanding-drivers-of-recent-trends-in-young-peoples-mental-health-July-2025-final.pdf

UCL Research into breaktimes: https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/sites/default/files/files/Baines%2042402%20BreaktimeSurvey%20-%20Main%20public%20report%20(May19)-Final(1).pdf

Growing up in the 2020s: https://growingup2020s.ipsos.com/#:~:text=our%20contact%20details.-,The%20Study,London%20(UCL)%20and%20Ipsos.

Listen to the mini-series on the Myriad Trial: https://changingstatesofmind.com/mindfulness-miniseries-1

In this episode, Dr Andrew Holliman, Associate Professor at UCL’s Institute of Education and chair of the BPS's Psychology of Education Section discusses the upcoming annual conference focused on psychological well-being in education, highlighting its inclusive, supportive atmosphere for teachers, researchers, and students. Andy shares insights on how psychology informs teaching, learning, and motivation, and emphasizes the importance of teacher and student well-being. Practical advice for engaging with psychological research and self-care is offered, along with conference details. The episode concludes with encouragement for educators to prioritize self-compassion and mental health.

To find out more about the conference please use this link:

https://www.bps.org.uk/event/psychology-education-section-annual-conference-2025

In this deeply personal episode, I’m joined by Harriet Ennis, a psychology teacher from York and this year's winner of the British Psychological Society's Pre-Tertiary Education Psychology Teacher of the Year (PEPTOTY). Harriet reached out to share her personal experience of Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), previously referred to as school refusal. Harriet brings both professional insight and a powerful parental perspective to the conversation, as she opens up about her daughter J’s journey through this challenging experience.

EBSA describes children who are unable—not unwilling—to attend school due to overwhelming emotional or mental health difficulties. It's estimated that 1–5% of students experience EBSA, though this number may be even higher post-COVID. It's not about truancy or defiance—it's about real, often invisible, distress.

🎧 In this episode:

• Harriet shares what EBSA looked like for her family

• We learn about how schools can help through deeper understanding of the issues, and strong communication with parents.

• J shares a symbolic moment: cutting her hair on Saturday 26th July 2025 as a sign of starting fresh—and fundraising for a cause close to her heart

💬 “I went into a burnout for 6 months and at first, for weeks, I couldn't face light and I spent every day in a dark room... Coping with my sensory processing differences day after day had overloaded me... But I’m getting better and better.” – J

If you would like to learn more about EBSA this article from the Psychologist magazine is a useful 5 minute read: https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/cant-not-wont-rethinking-school-avoidance

J is raising money for Thornberry Animal Sanctuary in Yorkshire—a nod to some fellow "hairy" friends—by cutting off her tangled hair and starting again. If you’d like to support her campaign, the JustGiving link is here.

👨‍👦If you would like further advice or support Harriet has suggest these links may be of use: https://daisychainproject.co.uk/autism-central/ (North of England) or https://www.childautism.org.uk/for-families/ (more broadly).

⚠️ A quick note: This episode was recorded under less-than-ideal internet conditions, so you may notice a few audio hiccups. I’ve done my best to smooth things out—thanks for bearing with us.