Mental Health Awareness Week takes place 11–17 May 2026, organised by the Mental Health Foundation – the UK charity that has been running this annual campaign for over 25 years. This year’s theme is Action – because awareness alone isn’t enough. Small actions matter, and together we are even more powerful.
“This Mental Health Awareness Week we’re asking people to join us in taking action to support good mental health. Even small actions can help us feel hopeful and less powerless. And while our individual actions matter, when we come together we are even more powerful.”
— Mental Health Foundation
The need for mental health support in schools has never been greater. More pupils than ever are struggling with their emotional wellbeing, and poor mental health has a direct impact on attendance, behaviour and learning. Staff are under increasing pressure too – and a workforce that isn’t supported can’t give pupils the support they need.
B Squared and the SENDcast have resources ready to support you and your school right now – from assessment tools to expert training sessions, and free podcast episodes to listen to any time.
Supporting mental health, behaviour and attendance with Connecting Steps
The impact of Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs in schools is huge – and it’s growing every year.
B Squared has developed an SEMH assessment framework within Connecting Steps to help identify and support students struggling with behaviour, attendance, and emotional wellbeing.
Covering birth to age 15, the framework gives your school a clear profile of each student’s SEMH needs and can be used alongside your existing frameworks to identify specific strengths and needs, plan targeted support, and track meaningful steps of progress over time.
Find out more about the SEMH framework“An awareness of next steps for pupils with SEMH needs is very useful – being able to track progress and identify key areas is very valuable.”
— Laura Wallace, St Helen’s Primary School
30+ Online Training Sessions on Mental Health
The SENDcast has more than 30 expert-led online training sessions covering mental health topics – giving your whole school access to CPD they can watch any time, all year round. Including:
- Supporting SEMH in the classroom
- Emotional regulation strategies
- Trauma-informed approaches
- Anxiety, school avoidance and behaviour
Sessions are available individually from just £10, or as part of a whole-school subscription.
Browse mental health training sessions30+ FREE Podcast Episodes on Mental Health
The SENDcast podcast has more than 30 FREE episodes covering mental health and SEMH. Recent highlights include:
- From Anxiety to Attendance: Rethinking SEMH Support with Helen Bray
- I’m Bipolar, But Don’t Call Me Crazy with Catrina Lowri
- Promoting Positive Mental Health for SENCOs with Angela Scott
Listen any time through the SENDcast website, on Spotify and Apple Podcasts – or watch on YouTube. Ideal for personal listening or sharing with your whole team.
Listen to free mental health episodes
Wear it Green Day – Thursday 14th May
Join schools and communities across the UK in wearing green on Thursday 14th May to show your support for good mental health for all. A simple, visible action that brings people together and raises vital awareness.
