Devon headteacher marks World Mental Health Day with online students

Teachers and students at Queen’s Online School may not meet every day in a traditional classroom setting but they are uniting across the web to mark World Mental Health Day.

Every student and staff member will be proudly wearing yellow on October 10th and a special assembly will give teachers the opportunity to talk to students about mental health issues.

“Just because our students log in to school from home doesn’t mean we aren’t a strong school community at Queen’s Online School,” said Headteacher Lisa Boorman, who is using her decade experience as a mainstream secondary school head in Plympton to ensure students feel included.

“We listen to our students and take on board their ideas and thoughts, we run extra- curricular clubs, and special assemblies. I know from decades of teaching that being part of a school community, whatever that looks like, is very important.”

This year’s theme, for World Mental Health Day, set by the World Federation for Mental Health is access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies. The theme highlights the importance of people being able to protect their mental health whatever they're going through, because everyone deserves good mental health.

New monthly data released by NHS England Mental Health Services Monthly Statistics, Performance July 2025 - NHS England Digital has revealed the number of young people aged under 24 in contact with mental health services in England has reached the highest level on record.

873,117 under 24-year-olds were in contact with mental health services in England at the end of May, the highest number since records began in 2016 377,017 under 18s were waiting for their first contact with services between March and May this year. They’ve waited an average of 276 days, up from 200 days compared with the same period last year.

There has also been a change in the health profile of disabled NEETs ( young people not in education, employment, or training), according to the latest Office for National Statistics data.

Over the past 15 years, the proportion citing mental health as their main health problem has nearly doubled – rising from 24.3% in 2011 to 42.6% in 2025. At the same time, the share reporting physical or other health problems has more than halved, falling from 74.1% to just 32.1%.

“It’s clear from the statistics and from listening to young people that many have issues with their mental health. This could stem from many different things but as an educator I think it’s vital we listen to our students, equip them for their future and ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge in place to protect their mental health, “ said Ms Boorman.