Three in four teachers put a pupil’s psychological needs before teaching at least once a week, UK survey reveals

Teachers are picking up the pieces of the deepening crisis in children and young people’s mental health, with many regularly helping pupils in distress on top of their classroom duties.

Teachers say they are playing an important role in supporting pupils’ often fragile mental wellbeing because so many who need help from the NHS are not receiving it, a UK-wide survey found.

78% of teachers say pupils’ mental health has got worse since they joined the profession.

76% say only half or fewer of the pupils who they believe need help with their mental health receive it.

74% say poor mental health support is damaging pupils’ ability to learn.