Mental Health in Schools: A Look at Practice
Mental health burdens in everyday school life are real – for students as much as for teachers. Current data highlight the challenges and how schools can respond.
Sina Schriewer2 min read
Mental health burdens in everyday school life are real – for students as much as for teachers.
This is shown, among other sources, by current data from the Deutsches Schulbarometer (German School Barometer) for students and teachers.
The numbers speak clearly
Around 21% of children and young people between the ages of 8 and 17 show indications of mental health concerns. Almost one in three rates their own quality of life as low – among children from low-income families or with special educational needs, the figure rises to 37% and 45% respectively.
School well-being is also frequently compromised: 20% of students do not feel comfortable at school.
Teachers are also under considerable strain: 34% report feeling emotionally exhausted several times a week, and 12% even daily.
Why action matters
These figures show how important it is to act actively in schools – for the health of children, young people, and adults alike. Mental health burdens in childhood and adolescence often have long-term effects: they can impair mental health, well-being, and educational attainment in adulthood.
But what does this look like in practice?
Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Stebner addresses this in his film. He deliberately focuses on the people who deal with these challenges every day:
Sources
- Robert Bosch Stiftung (2024): Deutsches Schulbarometer – Schüler:innen 2024. Stuttgart: Robert Bosch Stiftung.
- Robert Bosch Stiftung (2025): Deutsches Schulbarometer – Lehrkräfte 2025. Stuttgart: Robert Bosch Stiftung.
- Schlack, R. et al. (2021): Effekte psychischer Auffälligkeiten in Kindheit und Jugend im jungen Erwachsenenalter. Journal of Health Monitoring, 6(4), 3–20. doi: 10.25646/8862
- NAKO Gesundheitsstudie (2024): Die Schatten der Kindheit – Wie Traumata unsere Gesundheit beeinflussen können. https://nako.de/pressemitteilungen/die-schatten-der-kindheit
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