Schools are seeing growing pressures around children’s mental health, behaviour and inclusion.
The Mentally Healthy Schools Conference 2026 brought education professionals together to share practical approaches that can support children who are struggling and help to create more inclusive classrooms.
A key focus of the day was understanding what makes the biggest difference to children’s experiences at school. Attendees heard from Dr Cora Sargeant, Chartered Educational Psychologist and host of Classroom Psychology, on how strong relationships and human connection support learning.
Sessions also explored how schools can tackle misogyny and gender‑based violence, and how everyday school culture can influence a child’s body image and self‑esteem.
Attendees considered the challenges children and young people are facing and what helps them feel safe, settled and ready to learn.
Councillor Denise Bickley, Cabinet Member for SEND, said:
“It was inspiring and exciting to see so many colleagues come together with such genuine care for children and young people in Devon.
What really came through was the honesty in the room – people reflecting openly, sharing what’s working, and looking at how we can support children to feel included and able to learn.
Creating mentally healthy, inclusive school environments is something we can only do together, and this event showed just how committed our school communities are.”
Jo Lewitt, Public Health Specialist at Devon County Council, added:
“Three professional and articulate speakers set the scene that children and young people are facing a ‘poly-crisis’ and are struggling right now.
They explored the evidence base and shared practical ways to create emotionally safe schools and classrooms. They built understanding of the science of belonging and thriving, offered strategies for tackling gender based violence, and highlighted the importance of body respect for all.
It was an inspiring day that created space for staff to reflect on their sphere of influence and offered schools clear, usable tools to take away.“
This conference forms part of ongoing work to support mentally healthy, relational and inclusive school environments across Devon.