Whether you are a prospective educator, a parent of a school-aged child, or a soon-to-be counselor, you might be wondering how school affects mental health for children, teens, and young adults.

In the face of a growing mental health epidemic among adolescents, mental health education in schools has only become more important.¹ But what can today’s education and mental health professionals do to improve emotional wellness and student progress on campus?

In this guide, we are breaking down these topics and more: the elements of school that can impact mental health, the critical roles of school counselors and psychologists, and the benefits of pursuing a career in this field.

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The Impacts of School on Student Mental Health

There are a few elements of the school environment that can have a negative impact on students’ mental health.

#1 Academic Pressure and Stress

There is a clear link between high academic pressure and negative mental health outcomes. A 2023 systematic review of 52 studies determined that significant academic pressure was associated with at least one negative mental health outcome for students.²

There are many potential sources of academic pressure:

• The high standards of parents or guardians
• A sense of competition with classmates
• The increasingly competitive college admissions environment

Today’s students need resources for managing stress, expectations, and time in the school environment.³

#2 Social Dynamics and Bullying

During their time in school, students develop their social skills. As they age, their relationships become increasingly complex; they can also become more difficult to manage.

In fact, students may face mental health challenges related to:

• Bullying from peers
• The decision to conform or break the mold
• Early romantic relationships

Bullying, in particular, has astounding effects on mental health. A recent meta-analysis revealed that children and adolescents who experienced bullying were 2.77 times more likely to develop clinical depression.⁴

#3 The Role of Peer Support in Mental Health

Peers can play a pivotal role in fostering mental wellness among students. Peer support programs, when implemented effectively, can help:

• Create safe spaces where students feel comfortable sharing their challenges
• Reduce stigma surrounding mental health by normalizing conversations
• Provide positive role models who demonstrate healthy coping strategies

Peer mentoring and support groups are valuable tools that schools can use to build a culture of compassion and understanding.

#4 The Role of Teachers and School Policies

Of course, students also have critical relationships with their teachers and school administrators. Multiple elements of these teacher/administrator-student relationships have the capacity to impact student mental health:

• Teaching methods and styles
• Disciplinary policies
• Mentoring opportunities

All of the following have the potential to both worsen and improve student mental health; the difference is in training. When teachers and administrators are informed on topics related to students’ mental health, they can be a part of the solution.

The Critical Role of School Counselors and Psychologists

Two school roles can significantly impact mental health on campus: school counselors and school psychologists. Below, we break down how they address mental health challenges in individual students and in broader school communities.

Improving Student Outcomes

What does a school counselor or school psychologist do to improve student outcomes? School counselors and psychologists can improve student outcomes with interventions like:

• Conflict resolution – Helping students resolve their interpersonal challenges, develop new relational skills, and nurture fulfilling friendships can help reduce social stress.
• Stress management – In the face of academic pressure, school counselors and psychologists can help students relieve stress by teaching them mindfulness techniques, breathing exercises, and other healthy decompression methods.
• Academic guidance – Students should enroll in courses that they’re likely to succeed in—classes that align with their ability level, prior knowledge, and (ideally) interests. Matching students with their most compatible course options is a critical role of school counselors (guidance counselors specifically).

All of these methods have the potential to improve students’ mental health and their performance on campus.

Creating a Positive School Environment

In addition to helping students on an individual level, school counselors and psychologists work hard to foster a positive, healthy culture campus-wide. These campus mental health professionals:

• Support administrative and policy initiatives in students’ best interests
• Train other faculty and staff to recognize and address students’ mental health challenges
• Create school-wide campaigns focused on emotional and social wellness

How do school psychologists and counselors know how to implement these methods? They invest in quality education and training. Alliant International University offers online school psychology programs that help prospective professionals build the expertise they need to improve school environments.

Future school mental health professionals might also consider school counseling degree programs as they prepare for careers related to academic advisement, social support, emotional wellness, and workforce readiness for school-age students.

Benefits of Pursuing a Career in School Counseling or Psychology

Why pursue mental health education in schools as a career?

• It is rewarding – Careers in mental health can be deeply rewarding; professionals have the chance to make a difference in people’s lives.
• It benefits society – By supporting and advocating for the students of today, you can lay the groundwork for a better tomorrow. Students who are in touch with their emotions can self-regulate and navigate social norms in order to become well-adjusted adults.
• It is ever-changing – As researchers learn more about mental health and professionals develop new interventions, school psychologists and counselors have opportunities to constantly learn new, impactful skills. If you’re looking for a career path that values continuing education, these could be a great match for you.

Make a Positive Impact on Student Lives

Understanding how school affects mental health is a must for prospective school counselors and psychologists. But this is just the tip of the iceberg—the mental health professionals of tomorrow need high-quality training to make the most positive impact possible on students’ lives.

Enter Alliant International University: your home for flexible school counseling and school psychology degree programs. Whether you are interested in continuing your education as an existing school counselor, shifting careers, or pursuing the mental health education track for the first time, we have a degree or credential program that is right for you.

Request more information about our school psychology and school counseling programs now.

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Sources: 

1. “Mental Health.” US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 29, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/mental-health/index.html. Accessed January 17, 2025. 
2. Steare, et. al. “The Association Between Academic Pressure and Adolescent Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Affective Disorders. October 15, 2023. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032723008510?via…. Accessed January 17, 2025. 
3. Reynolds, Pamela. “Managing Stress in High School.” Harvard University. November 10, 2022. https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/managing-stress-in-high-school/. Accessed January 17, 2025. 
4. Ye, et al. “Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Bullying and Depressive Symptoms in Children and Adolescents.” BMC Psychiatry. March 30, 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10061722/. Accessed January 17, 2025.