School Mental Health Project Presented at GCEDU 2026

On 27 September 2026, Elena Xeni, Senior Researcher at The Idea Factory, presented the latest findings of the Erasmus+ School Mental Health project at the 5th Global Conference on Education (GCEDU 2026), held at Imperial College London.

Representing The Idea Factory and the project consortium, Elena Xeni presented the project’s new transnational research report, Transnational Perspectives on Student Mental Health: A Comparative Analysis Across Five European Countries. The presentation explored findings from research conducted with adolescents aged 12 to 18 across Spain, Iceland, Romania, Lithuania and Cyprus, offering a comparative perspective on students’ mental health, wellbeing and access to support.

A key finding of the research is what the report describes as an “Invisible Rift” between students’ self-perceptions and standardised measures of wellbeing. While up to 80% of participating adolescents reported that they felt “fine”, the WHO-5 Well-Being Index indicated that more than 60% were experiencing levels of emotional distress that warrant attention. The findings highlight the limitations of relying solely on students’ self-reported perceptions when assessing adolescent mental health.

The research also identified significant barriers to accessing traditional school-based support. Across the participating countries, up to 88% of students reported avoiding or not using school counselling services. The reasons identified included concerns around stigma and privacy, as well as students’ preference for practical tools and strategies that they can use independently to manage stress and regulate their emotions.

Importantly, the findings provide insight into the types of support students say they need within school environments. These include non-judgemental spaces where students can seek support without fear of stigma, quiet areas for decompression and opportunities to develop practical self-regulation skills. The research also points to the impact of academic pressure, including high-stakes examinations, on students’ emotional wellbeing.

The presentation highlighted the importance of adopting a whole-school approach to mental health, where student wellbeing is integrated into everyday school life, learning environments and support systems. By listening to students’ experiences and addressing the barriers that prevent them from seeking help, schools can develop more accessible and responsive approaches to mental health and wellbeing.

Learn more about the School Mental Health project: https://theideafactory.org/school-mental-health-development-of-tools-for-diagnosis-and-prevention-of-mental-health-issues-to-improve-school-wellbeing/