Championing teenage wellbeing - Oasis and The Coalition for Mental Health in School's latest insights

As concerns for youth mental health continue to rise, Oasis remains the forefront of supporting teenage wellbeing through its active involvement in The Coalition for Youth Mental Health in Schools. Co-chaired by Oasis’ Director of Safeguarding, Jon Needham, this coalition unites over 90 schools and allied organizations to champion best practices in mental health within educational environments. The coalition’s latest report, ‘Green Shoots and Grass Roots,’ provides significant insights from polling over 1,000 teenagers aged 11-18, highlighting both improvements and ongoing challenges in youth mental health post-pandemic. The findings have garnered national attention, emphasising the need for enhanced mental health support in schools—a cause that Oasis passionately advocates for.

Conducted by policy research consultancy Public First, the report reveals that while most young people now rate their mental health as ‘quite good’ or ‘very good’ (77%), disparities remain. Girls are less likely to rate their mental health positively compared to boys (70% vs. 87%), and fewer young people from disadvantaged communities report good mental health compared to their wealthier peers (69% vs. 87%). The report also highlights a significant reliance on online communities, with The Times* noting that 32% of young people said losing their phone would ruin their day, surpassing concerns about detention (25%) or poor grades (23%).

Co-chairs Jon Needham and Jane Lunnon emphasised the importance of a cohesive approach to youth mental health in Schools Week, spotlighting the report’s calls for counsellors in every school, youth hubs, and a balanced approach to phone usage in schools.

To bring this critical issue to the attention of policymakers, the coalition hosted a parliamentary reception at the House of Commons to launch the report. The event featured speeches from Labour MP Helen Hayes, coalition co-chairs, and students from several participating schools, including Oasis Academy South Bank.

Year 9 students Jaydon and Zahra from Oasis Academy South Bank shared their perspectives on supporting mental wellbeing in schools, advocating for safe, inclusive spaces and peer-to-peer support. Their powerful insights were also featured in a Channel 4 News broadcast.

We are incredibly proud of Jaydon and Zahra for courageously sharing their experiences and highlighting the importance of positive wellbeing among young people. Their voices, along with the coalition's comprehensive research, underscore the urgent need for systemic changes in how schools address mental health.

At Oasis, protecting the mental wellbeing of all our students is integral to our inclusive practice. We are committed to fostering environments where every student feels supported and valued. By collaborating with experts across the sector and advocating for robust mental health policies, we aim to create lasting, positive impacts on the lives of young people.

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