Practical recommendations for promoting mental well-being within school settings. They support policymakers and educators in creating supportive learning environments, integrating mental health into school policies, and implementing preventive and early intervention strategies.

Overview of the importance of mental health and well-being in schools and presents a systems-based approach to strengthening support through “health-promoting schools.” It explains how mental health influences learning, development, and long-term outcomes, noting that many mental health conditions emerge during school years and can affect educational attainment and life trajectories . The document outlines the role of schools as key environments for prevention, early identification, and access to support, and introduces a whole-school framework that integrates policies, curriculum, environments, and services. It also provides practical examples of actions across multiple domains—such as governance, community partnerships, and service provision—to improve mental health outcomes, alongside case studies demonstrating implementation in different country contexts.

Developed by NESET, the framework emphasizes that mental health and wellbeing are shaped by the entire school environment, including leadership, curriculum, staff wellbeing, student participation, family engagement, and links with external services. It promotes prevention, early identification, and inclusive practices rather than isolated interventions. Mental health is treated as a shared responsibility across the whole education system.

A mental health literacy resource designed to be delivered by teachers within the regular curriculum, helping young people understand mental health, reduce stigma and seek help when needed. It explicitly addresses gender differences in the prevalence and presentation of difficulties.

A national mental health literacy programme for primary and secondary school teachers, developed by the Ministry of Health with clinical, school and academic experts and delivered through workshops in county public health institutes and school services. It equips teachers for early recognition of difficulties and for supporting help-seeking. Formal effectiveness evaluation is underway.

A simple school-based initiative in which children take a short daily run/walk during the school day, promoting physical activity, concentration and emotional wellbeing. It is widely adopted across European countries.

A school-based programme that promotes positive body image and body confidence among students through classroom resources and activities, addressing a known risk factor for low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and disordered eating.

Developed under an Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership and implemented in five European countries (Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Lithuania, Slovenia), Well@School enhances mental health literacy among primary school professionals - teachers, healthcare and social-care staff - equipping them to recognise difficulties, reduce stigma and foster a supportive school environment.

A manualised, youth-driven programme delivered in schools that raises awareness of mental health, builds skills and encourages help-seeking. Sessions are shaped by participants' own topics and experiences, with no prescribed solutions imposed, and it has been evaluated across ten European countries.

A training programme that equips individuals to recognise mental health difficulties in others and respond supportively, including peer-based youth adaptations (e.g., PSSM-Ados in France). It is widely implemented across European countries.