Supporting Pupil Wellbeing on World Mental Health Week - And Every Day

Each year on World Mental Health Week, we’re reminded of the importance of talking about mental health and creating environments where everyone feels supported, seen, and heard. In schools, where students are constantly growing, learning, and navigating personal challenges, mental health support isn’t just important - it’s essential no matter what stage of education you are in.

But at primary school age, children are just beginning to understand the world around them - and the world inside them. Emotions can feel big, overwhelming, and difficult to put into words. That’s why creating safe, supportive spaces for children to explore and express how they feel is so important.

World Mental Health Week is a moment for schools to shine a spotlight on emotional wellbeing. But for primary schools, it’s also a reminder that mental health support needs to be built into the rhythm of each school day - not just one day a year.

At SAAS Schools, our mission is to help schools nurture emotional awareness from an early age. That’s exactly why we created Moodtracker.

Helping Young Children Understand Their Emotions

In primary school, mental health support often starts with the basics, helping children name their feelings and understand that it’s okay to have them.

Tools like Moodtracker turn this into a simple daily habit. Each morning, pupils can log how they’re feeling by choosing from a set of easy-to-understand emojis or words. It’s quick, quiet, and designed for younger learners - no long questionnaires or complicated forms.

For example, a child might select:

😊 Happy

😐 Okay

😔 Sad

😠 Angry

😟 Worried

And just like that, they’ve begun to tune into their emotions - and so have their teachers.

Children are also asked where that emotion is coming from, either something at school, home or as is becoming more prevalent, the online world.  This information clearly changes how educators approach conversations with pupils.

Why It Matters in the Primary Setting

Early intervention is key! Spotting changes in a child’s mood early can help prevent bigger challenges down the line.

Silent support for quieter children - Not every child will tell you they’re upset, but they might show you through their Mood Tracker check-in.

Gives teachers a wider picture – With daily logs, staff can see patterns, spot dips in mood, and ensure every child is noticed.

Mood Tracker also gives pastoral teams and SLTs the data they need to support wellbeing across the whole school, without overwhelming staff.

Making World Mental Health Week Meaningful in Primary Schools

Beyond digital tools, here are some age-appropriate ways to mark World Mental Health Week in your school:

📚 Storytime focused on emotions - Books like The Colour Monster or Ruby’s Worry spark valuable discussions.

🎨 Feelings-based art projects - Let children draw or paint how they’re feeling today.

🧠 Mindful moments - Introduce short breathing or sensory activities to start the day calmly.

💬 Circle time chats - Give children a chance to talk about what makes them happy, worried, or excited.

Pairing these activities with Moodtracker reinforces a culture of care - and gives children a safe, private way to check in daily.

Building a Mentally Healthy School Culture

Supporting mental health in primary schools isn’t about big interventions - it’s about small, consistent actions that show children they matter. Moodtracker is one of those simple actions that, over time, makes a real difference.

This World Mental Health Week, we invite you to start (or strengthen) your school’s wellbeing journey. Because when we help children understand their feelings now, we give them tools they’ll use beyond education, and into their lives.

Moodtracker serves as a resource to enhance emotional consciousness and management. In a world where children are constantly exposed to various stimuli and pressures, it is crucial to equip them with the necessary skills to effectively navigate their emotions. Moodtracker enables children to articulate and comprehend their feelings, nurturing emotional intelligence from a young age. Through consistent monitoring of their moods and emotions, children cultivate self-awareness and resilience, establishing a solid groundwork for enduring mental well-being.

Contact SAAS Schools for more information on the Moodtracker.

Find out More here: www.saasschools.com

Email us: connect@saasschools.com