Understanding Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 focuses on Action, encouraging everyone working in education to take steps that support wellbeing. Learning at Work Week highlights many ways to learn, reminding us that staff development and new skills all play an important role in creating supportive school environments. Together, these themes reinforce how important it is for teachers and support staff to respond in ways that help pupils feel safe and understood. Being a teacher is not only about delivering lessons. Teachers often build strong, trusted relationships with their pupils, and can be the first person a young person turns to when they are struggling.

 

Early Intervention: Recognising Triggers

Team Teach training helps staff identify early signs that a child or young person may be heading into crisis. Recognising triggers and understanding behaviour patterns allows staff to step in early, reducing the likelihood of emotional escalation. This aligns with the Action theme by encouraging proactive, preventative approaches rather than waiting for a situation to worsen. Staying aware of changes in behaviour and using simple supportive techniques can make a significant impact.

How Team Teach Training Supports Mental Health in the Classroom

As a Team Teach tutor, Aiden focuses on helping staff understand the triggers that can lead to dysregulation. By learning how to preempt these signs, teachers and support staff can help pupils manage their emotional responses more effectively. This approach supports both safety and wellbeing in the classroom and reinforces the importance of ongoing learning, which is central to Learning at Work Week.

Signs to look out for

You can take steps to recognise mental health issues within your classroom and educate yourself on how to approach these situations. You may notice that a student is acting differently. Some signs to look out for could be:

  • constantly thinking or talking about their problems
  • acting and being very out of character
  • changes in mood/unexpected outbursts of emotion
  • unable to focus
  • feeling/looking tired
  • changes to eating habits
  • avoiding friends and social events that they would normally be part of

Signs a Pupil May Be Struggling Emotionally

Teachers may notice subtle or sudden changes in behaviour that indicate a pupil needs support. These signs can include repeatedly talking about the same worries, acting out of character, sudden mood changes, emotional outbursts, persistent tiredness, difficulty concentrating, changes in eating habits or avoiding friends and activities they usually enjoy. These behaviours may suggest that a pupil needs someone to listen or may require additional support.

 

Practical Ways to Support a Pupil Who Needs Help

If you have concerns about a pupil’s wellbeing, there are several ways to approach the situation. Listening without judgement helps pupils feel safe enough to share their worries. Offering support by signposting counselling or pastoral services can help them access the right help. If the concern is more serious, staff should follow safeguarding procedures and make pupils aware that information may need to be shared with the appropriate lead. These steps reflect both national guidance and the Action theme by encouraging early, practical intervention.

Building a Learning Culture That Supports Staff and Pupils

Learning at Work Week encourages staff to build confidence through shared learning, peer support and ongoing development. Schools can embrace this by creating opportunities for colleagues to learn from one another, discuss strategies and build skills that support mental health in the classroom. Training such as Team Teach and other CPD opportunities helps staff understand behaviour, support emotional regulation and create calmer, safer learning environments.

 

Start or Grow Your Career in Education With CER

You can start or grow your career in education with CER. We work closely with schools across the UK to match you with roles that suit your skills and support your development. Explore our latest job opportunities and find a role that feels right for you.

For more information about our Team-Teach or other CPD courses, contact your local branch.