Implementing peer support for school wellbeing

In this blog, an Anna Freud Education Panel alumni member and Senior Mental Health Lead/School Engagement Development Manager, Kerry Whitehouse from St Michael’s CE High School, explains how she has implemented peer support and youth engagement initiatives in her school. Kerry also shares her top tips for fellow school leaders looking to improve the mental health and wellbeing of their students.

Passionate about embedding a whole-school culture of wellbeing

I have proudly worked at St Michael’s CE High School in the West Midlands, since 2001. Over the years I have shaped opportunities that place young people at the heart of school life.

Our school’s wellbeing journey began with Anna Freud’s 5 Steps to Mental Health and Wellbeing, which we used as a tool to audit our existing provision and identify priorities for development. This helped us embed a consistent, whole-school culture of wellbeing. To manage capacity, each year group has a dedicated non-teaching Assistant Head of Year, providing pastoral support and a trusted point of contact.

My primary focus is to ensure that every young person feels a sense of belonging, has their voice heard, and is empowered to thrive both in school and in life. At St Michael’s, we are passionate about ensuring that students are at the heart of decision-making and the design of initiatives. We work closely with key stakeholders and adopt a multi-agency approach to maximise impact and provide both universal and targeted support.

Peer support for shared learning, empathy and empowerment

The concept of ‘peer support’ has been a significant part of our journey. For me it is about recognising and harnessing the unique skillset of young people to guide and inspire one another. It is a powerful and authentic form of education that often reaches audiences in ways that traditional approaches cannot. By enabling students to take the lead, we create opportunities for shared learning, empathy and empowerment.

We have a range of structures in place to support this, including student-led initiatives such as Feel Good Friday (weekly mood-boosting activities during form time registration), 21st Century Child (awareness raising initiatives of issues that affect young people, for students and their parents) and our annual Wellbeing Takeover Week. Our student wellbeing champions play a central role in designing resources, leading campaigns, and facilitating such events and tailored to meet the needs of their peers.

Peer support at St Michael’s also extends beyond specific initiatives. It is embedded into our pastoral approach, with students supporting each other across year groups, particularly around transition and building a sense of belonging. This not only strengthens confidence and relationships but also builds a support network within school that enhances wellbeing and resilience for all.

The challenges we face in this work

The most challenging aspect of this work is the growing number of young people struggling with their mental health¹, alongside the lack of sufficient funding and external services available to meet this rising demand. Schools are often left as the frontline of support, and while we do all we can, the capacity to also support families can be limited.

Another key challenge lies in capturing the true impact of this work. Much of what we do is relational, and the value of those small conversations, acts of kindness, or moments of connection cannot always be measured on a spreadsheet, yet they are often the most transformative.

Finally, the pressures of a content-heavy curriculum can make it difficult to find time during the school day for creative wellbeing initiatives. We work flexibly to overcome this, often relying on the incredible commitment of students who give their own time to take part in meetings, workshops, and training.

We do make a difference

The most rewarding aspect of this work is knowing that, even on the most challenging days, you are making a real difference to the lives of young people. Providing new and exciting opportunities that allow them to develop their skills, overcome barriers, and achieve personal milestones is truly priceless.

Equally rewarding is seeing the ripple effect of this work: inspiring others to take on similar initiatives and creating a culture where young people feel empowered to support each other and drive positive change within their school and beyond.

Some surprises along the way

What surprises me most has been the motivation and dedication of young people to give their time so selflessly to support others and perhaps most rewarding of all is seeing former students return to volunteer and inspire future generations. They are part of the legacy; having built the foundations for the work we continue today.

My top-tips for other school leaders looking to embark on a similar journey:

• be authentic, consistent, and have fun. Young people already hold many of the answers, so give them a genuine platform to influence change through a solution-focused lens and you’ll be surprised by what is possible.

• look beyond the label. Behaviour often masks underlying struggles. Take notice, see the child for who they truly are, and support them in learning how to regulate their emotions

• recognise that it takes time. Build the structure carefully and embrace small, quick wins along the way to maintain engagement while working towards bigger goals.

• connection is everything. Ensure that the work is led by someone who is passionate, creates psychological safety, and builds strong relationships. You don’t need to be an expert; you just need to care and show you are willing to listen.

• don’t do it in isolation. Link with others on a similar journey and work closely with local and national partners. These collaborations can significantly amplify your impact and help sustain the long-term work.

And finally, I want to share what one of my students says about this work:

Robin (aged 18), Student Voice Ambassador, St Michaels CE High School:

“At St Michael’s, peer support means empowering students to look out for one another and feel confident in offering help when it’s needed. One way we achieve this is by working in partnership with local mental health agencies to provide training in mental health.

“These sessions equip students with the knowledge and skills to support their peers effectively, while also breaking down the stigma around sensitive issues such as self-harm and suicide. By preparing students to approach these topics with confidence, we create a culture where young people can rely on one another and feel safe seeking support.”

About Youth Mental Health Day

Youth Mental Health Day is celebrated on 19 September. It is coordinated by Stem4, a digital mental health charity that offers free help to children and young people via evidence- based apps and schools programmes.

This year’s theme is ‘Share Support. It aims to encourage young people and those around them to connect, share, and access clinically-informed mental health resources, with an emphasis on peer support.

Notes

¹ More than one in five children and young people have a diagnosiable mental health problem, almost twice what was recorded in 2017. NHS Digital (2023)