Concerns Over “Grit” Initiative in Schools

School leaders and experts caution that the government’s push to foster “grit” in students cannot substitute for enhanced mental health support in English schools.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Health Secretary Wes Street emphasized the role of More Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) in preventing crises and nurturing resilience among young people. This support is deemed vital for not only academic achievements but also for navigating life’s challenges.

These remarks coincided with Phillipson’s announcement of a £49 million funding boost aimed at increasing the number of MHSTs, which will reach 60% of UK state schools by spring 2026. These teams, trained by the NHS, are designed to assist children struggling with mild to moderate mental health issues, such as social anxiety.

Place2be, a charity focused on children’s mental health, reported a significant rise in young individuals facing complex needs that require precise interventions. However, they also noted issues with long wait times for NHS Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

A spokesperson for the charity stated, “Numerous students have needs that extend beyond the ‘mild to moderate’ spectrum. It’s essential for these young individuals grappling with challenges to receive quality, targeted clinical support in schools, alongside CAMH support.”

They added that implementing MHST in all schools is just one element of the solution. It alone won’t fulfill the promise of providing professional mental health support in every school, nor will it adequately address the mental health struggles that today’s youth face.

In the Labour Party’s 2024 Election Manifesto, a commitment was made to ensure all young individuals have access to mental health professionals in schools. The government aims to achieve this by the 2029-30 timeline, marking the end of the current parliamentary period.

During an appearance on the BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Phillipson was queried about the term “grit”. She mentioned that young people encounter various challenges, which the MHSTs could help alleviate.

“This enables young individuals to seek help early when difficulties arise, allowing them to work with trained professionals who can assist with managing their issues,” she explained.

The expansion of MHSTs has been met with approval from education unions, including the National Association of Chief Teachers and the National Education Union (NEU). Nonetheless, many educators harbor doubts about the effectiveness of teaching grit. Previous government initiatives and conflicting research have raised questions about the teachability of this trait.

A review for the Education Fund noted that while certain non-cognitive skills, like grit and self-control, correlate well with positive outcomes, they seem more akin to stable personality traits than adaptable skills.

NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede highlighted concerns among teachers regarding long waiting periods for children to access services like speech therapy. He expressed a desire for the government to address broader social issues, such as poverty and inequalities in opportunity.

England’s Children’s Commissioner, Rachel de Souza, is set to release her annual report on the state of children’s mental health services. Her previous report indicated that MHSTs dealt with 38,000 cases in 2022-23, with an average wait time of about 30 days among the 678,000 children and youth served by mental health services.