Mental Health in Schools: A Silent Emergency

The urgent need for counsellor training and student support systems

One of the most overlooked challenges in our education system today is not just about curriculum or infrastructure. It’s about the minds and hearts of the children sitting in our classrooms. As I spend more time in learning communities across Nigeria, I am constantly reminded that mental health is the foundation of learning, yet it remains one of the least talked-about issues in education.

Our children are navigating a complex mix of challenges. Some come to school from homes dealing with poverty, domestic instability, displacement, or grief. Others face bullying, academic pressure, abuse, or neglect. And then there are the silent struggles like anxiety, low self-esteem, depression that go unnoticed because we haven’t built systems to recognise or respond to them.

The real state of student wellbeing

Many students in our schools today are showing clear signs of stress and emotional distress. Some act out. Some withdraw completely. Others carry on as if everything is fine, but their performance and confidence continue to drop. Unfortunately, what we often call “stubbornness” or “poor attitude” is actually a cry for help.

Teachers are overwhelmed too. They are expected to play the role of educator, parent, social worker, and mentor all with very little training or emotional support of their own. In many public schools, there are no trained counsellors. Even in private schools, the role of the guidance counsellor is often administrative rather than therapeutic.

This is not sustainable. And it’s not fair to the teachers, or to the children.

Children cannot learn when they are emotionally unwell

Why mental health matters for learning

The truth is simple: children cannot learn when they are emotionally unwell. A distracted or distressed mind cannot absorb information, let alone engage creatively or critically. If we truly want to raise students who are confident, self-aware, and capable of leading change, we need to invest in their emotional wellbeing—not just their academic outcomes.

Mental health is not an “extra”. It is essential. 

What needs to change

Here are some urgent steps we need to take as a society if we want to build mentally healthy schools:

1. Train counsellors and emotional support staff Every school should have at least one trained guidance counsellor or wellbeing officer. Where this isn’t possible, we must equip teachers with the basic skills to identify and support mental health challenges in their students.

   
   

2. Create safe and supportive environments There should be quiet, safe spaces where students can talk, decompress, or access help. Even small changes like peer mentoring groups, emotional check-ins, or regular open conversations can make a big difference.
   

3. Normalise talking about mental health We need to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health in schools and homes. Emotional wellbeing should be part of our everyday school language, not just something we deal with when there’s a crisis.
   

4. Support the supporters Teachers and school staff also need access to mental health resources. We cannot ask them to pour from an empty cup.

   
   

5. Build community awareness Parents and caregivers should be educated about the signs of emotional distress and how to support their children. Schools can host workshops or partner with organisations that specialise in mental health education.

Every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and supported. Systems that honour their mental wellbeing empower them to thrive in every area of life.

Our commitment must go beyond classrooms and textbooks. Children deserve the chance to be whole, learn, heal, grow, and have a decent hope for the future. Mental health should not be a side issue in education. It is central and it is urgent.