Attention to children’s mental health has taken center stage in recent years and with good reason. Educators have seen the issue growing, and mental health also tops the list of parental concerns — ranking higher than gun violence or drugs and alcohol in a Pew Research Center study.
The great news is that the strides to address mental health issues have been impressive, according to Selina Oliver, nationally certified school psychologist and senior clinical assessment consultant at Pearson. “As a society, we continue to recognize the importance of addressing mental health concerns,” she says, citing examples such as an influx of grants to address mental health, an increase in the prevalence of public service announcements, the steady adoption of social-emotional learning (SEL) programs in schools and much more.
There has been a drumbeat of positive news, such as the CDC’s 10-year data summary trend report that shows progress made among many groups, including Hispanic students experiencing decreases in multiple measures of poor mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviors and a decrease in the number of Black students who attempted suicide or were injured in a suicide attempt. Despite these gains, the report notes that 40% of high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness; 20% seriously considered attempting suicide; and almost 10% attempted suicide.
“Improving trends should not be evidence that the problem is abating, but should be considered optimism that the interventions are having some impact,” Oliver indicates. “We need to be vigilant that improving trends don’t lead to complacency on this topic.”
What will the K-12 mental health landscape look like in 2025? Here are three potential issues to watch.
Issue 1: Increased recognition of drawbacks to social media
Numerous mental health concerns have been traced to social media use, with many studies focusing on the link between social media and self-esteem. However, that’s not the only area where social media holds sway. Teens increasingly have anxiety related to school safety (including school shooter violence), cyberbullying and cultural violence (like antisemitism and other forms of racism).
Oliver points out that social media often serves as the epicenter for these concerns. “School shooters brag on social media; predators often use social media to recruit their victims; bullies taunt their victims through social media’s anonymity; and there is frequent hate speech,” she says.
Society is taking action: Many states have introduced measures to protect children, and platforms such as Instagram are introducing changes designed to protect youth — for example, making all teen accounts private.
Cellphone restrictions in schools can also play a crucial role in managing mental health. “The forced disconnection can provide a much-needed respite from social media anxiety and an opportunity to earn some self-esteem points for engaging in instruction,” says Oliver. “Overall, a classroom is likely to function more productively without cellphone distractions.”
And yet, she adds, for the current generation who has not really known a world without 24/7 connectivity, it can feel unsettling to disconnect, even for a 50-minute class session. Oliver believes schools could leverage SEL principles to help students with this transition, such as underscoring the benefits of self-management and building in-person connections. “More specific interventions might be needed for other students who are more reliant on cellphone connectivity as a perceived lifeline,” she acknowledges.
Issue 2: Growing awareness of concerns about global issues on teens’ mental health
As teens become more acutely aware of the prevalence of climate issues, it’s increasingly leading to mental distress. “Being purposeful about developing resiliency skills will be critical to help our youth face significant life events, which include natural disasters,” Oliver says. “Because youth typically worry most about separation from loved ones, having a disaster and reunification plan can go a long way to alleviating anxiety for those living in a disaster-prone area.”
Weather turbulence is just one of the issues weighing on youth. “Other global circumstances, especially those involving military conflict and violence, can be equally disturbing,” she notes. Equipping students with tools to build resilience, including incorporating proven SEL techniques, can also help quell the effects of these worries.
Another important skill to build is media literacy, which helps students learn how to separate fact from fiction and recognize reliable sources of news information so they can be better informed on the issues they may face. A study from the News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan education nonprofit, found that 94% of teens say they want schools to provide media literacy instruction.
Issue 3: Greater demand for mental health services
As we head into 2025, there is reason to feel optimistic, given that reduced stigma around mental health struggles is encouraging more students to speak up and seek help.
“One of the positive and intended byproducts of our country’s efforts to address the mental health crisis has been an increase in individuals seeking support,” says Oliver. “Public figures who have been transparent about their own mental health needs and their advocacy for seeking help have contributed to reducing a stigma that had previously been associated with individuals refusing to seek treatment. Their stories of resiliency also provide hope for struggling individuals.”
However, despite increased funding for school-based and community-based mental health services, the number of qualified mental health providers has not kept pace with the increased demand for services. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) estimates there are fewer than 11,500 child and adolescent psychiatrists in the United States, which is why many communities look to schools as a core resource for providing mental health services.
“Schools can serve as a launch pad for resiliency programs like SEL, as early warning centers for identifying mental health needs, and as the physical location for delivering vital mental health services,” Oliver indicates.
Prioritizing mental health in 2025
As society continues to make strides toward improved mental health, schools can be a vital contributor to helping today’s youth develop the coping skills that will set them on a successful journey.
Oliver offers the following advice for educators: “Behavior is language; seek to understand with an ear toward problem solving. Be patient and be present. Communicate with your student’s team (caregivers, school counselor, etc.) if you have concerns. And, be cognizant of your own internal mental health radar.”
For more mental health information and tools for supporting it in K-12 schools, visit Pearson’s Mental Health Resource Center.
