Primary schools across Britain are facing something we've never seen before: a mental health crisis that's affecting how our children learn and grow. As we move through 2025, the facts are quite shocking. Schools have become the main place where children get help with their mental health, but they're struggling to cope with just how many children need support.

What the Numbers Show Us

The latest research tells us something pretty alarming. In a typical primary school, about 1 in 5 children (18%) are now getting mental health support through their school. That's a huge number when you think about it. In your average primary school with 400 pupils, that means roughly 72 children are getting help for things like anxiety, depression, or other emotional difficulties.

This isn't just because we're getting better at spotting problems (though that's part of it). It's because more children genuinely need help, and schools have become the place families turn to when their child is struggling.

Schools Can't Keep Up

Here's where it gets really concerning. More than half of all state schools (52%) say they're finding it really difficult to give children the mental health support they need. That's not because teachers and staff don't care - they absolutely do. It's because there simply aren't enough people, time, or resources to help everyone who needs it.

Think about what this means day to day. Teachers are spending more time dealing with children's emotional crises instead of teaching maths and English. School counsellors have waiting lists that would make your GP surgery look efficient. Head teachers are trying to balance getting good exam results with making sure children feel safe and supported.

Why Schools Have Become Mental Health Centres

You might wonder how we got here. Why are schools dealing with mental health instead of hospitals or specialist services? There are actually some pretty good reasons for this.

First, every child goes to school. Unlike going to see a therapist or visiting a mental health clinic, school is somewhere children already are five days a week. There's no waiting list to get in, no long journey to get there, and no awkward conversations about booking appointments.

Second, teachers see children every day. They notice when little Emma seems more worried than usual, or when Jack starts acting out after previously being well-behaved. They can spot the early warning signs that parents might miss at home or that would never show up in a brief doctor's appointment.

Third, many families trust schools. Parents who might feel embarrassed about taking their child to see a 'mental health professional' are often comfortable talking to their child's teacher or the school counsellor. Schools feel safe and familiar.

The Knock-On Effects

This situation is creating problems that ripple out everywhere. Teachers, who trained to help children learn to read and write, are now having to be part-time therapists too. Many feel out of their depth and worry they're not helping children in the right way.

When children's mental health needs aren't properly met, their learning suffers. A child who's anxious about coming to school can't concentrate on their times tables. A child dealing with problems at home finds it hard to focus on their reading book. This creates gaps in learning that can follow them for years.

The Money Problem

All of this costs money that schools don't really have. Schools are having to hire more counsellors, send teachers on mental health training courses, and buy resources to help support struggling children. This money has to come from somewhere, which often means less money for books, trips, or other things that help children learn.

Finding the right staff is even harder than finding the money. There aren't enough qualified mental health professionals to go around, and schools often can't pay as much as private practices or hospitals. So even when schools want to hire someone to help, they can't find anyone available.

What Schools Are Trying to Do

Some schools are getting creative about solving these problems. They're working with local mental health charities to bring specialists into school. Others are focusing on preventing problems before they get serious by teaching all children about emotions and coping strategies.

Many schools are also discovering the benefits of bringing in specialists who teach yoga and mindfulness to children. Companies like BEAM ACADEMY are stepping in to help by providing programmes specifically designed for primary school children. These aren't just about sitting cross-legged and saying "om" (though there might be a bit of that!). They're about teaching children practical skills to manage their emotions, cope with stress, and feel more confident.

What's brilliant about yoga and mindfulness programmes is that they can help all children, not just those who are struggling. A child might learn breathing techniques that help them feel calmer before a test, or stretching exercises that help them focus better in class. These skills become tools they can use for the rest of their lives.

Some schools are using technology too, like apps or video calls with therapists. But most teachers and parents agree that there's no substitute for a real person who knows your child and can give them a hug when they need it.

Where Do We Go From Here?

This isn't a problem that's going to go away anytime soon. In fact, it's probably going to get worse before it gets better. We need to accept that helping children with their mental health is now part of what schools do, just like teaching them to read or helping them learn to add up.

But schools can't do this alone. They need proper funding, the right training, and support from mental health services. This is where specialist companies can make a real difference. Organisations like BEAM ACADEMY can work alongside schools to provide the expertise that many teachers feel they lack. When a trained yoga and mindfulness instructor comes into school, they're not replacing the teacher's care and concern - they're adding specialist skills that complement what the school already does brilliantly.

The beauty of this approach is that it takes some pressure off teachers whilst giving children extra tools to cope. A teacher might notice that Sarah seems anxious, and instead of feeling helpless about how to help her, they know that Sarah will be learning breathing techniques in her yoga session that afternoon.

Most importantly, we need to recognise that a child who's struggling emotionally can't learn properly, and a child who's falling behind at school might develop emotional problems as a result. Prevention is better than cure, and teaching all children mindfulness and emotional regulation skills early on could save a lot of heartache later.

What This Means for All of Us

The facts speak for themselves: 18% of primary school children need mental health support, and more than half of schools can't provide it properly. These aren't just numbers on a page. They represent real children in real classrooms who are struggling with real problems.

This affects all of us, whether we have children or not. These young people will grow up to be our future doctors, teachers, neighbours, and leaders. If we don't help them now, we're storing up problems for the future.

The good news is that when children get the right support at the right time, they can flourish. Schools want to help, teachers care deeply about their pupils, and there are solutions out there. Yoga and mindfulness programmes are showing real promise as tools that can help children build resilience and emotional strength. Companies like BEAM ACADEMY are proving that when you combine the caring environment of school with specialist skills in child-friendly yoga and mindfulness, you can give children practical ways to manage their feelings and cope with life's challenges.

We just need to make sure schools have access to these resources and support systems.

The question isn't whether schools should be helping children with their mental health - they already are. The question is how we can help them do it better, so that every child gets the support they need to be happy, healthy, and ready to learn.