Exploring Mental Health in Education

Key Debates and Critical Issues
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-032-98469-8
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 180 Seiten, Format (B × H): 174 mm x 246 mm

Reihe: The Routledge Education Studies Series

This book offers a critical and thought-provoking exploration of mental health in education at a time when concern, awareness and intervention have never been higher, yet outcomes often remain uncertain. It moves beyond individualised and crisis-led responses to consider mental wellbeing in educational contexts more holistically.

Grounded in research and real-world practice, the book draws on diverse perspectives from educators, policymakers, researchers and healthcare professionals to examine key debates shaping contemporary understandings of mental health in schools. Chapters explore leadership, policy, staff wellbeing, school-based mental health provision, relationships with external services, and the complexities of safeguarding and equity. Throughout, contributors interrogate prevailing assumptions, examine the reliability of diagnoses, and unpack complex questions, inviting reflective and ethically informed dialogue rather than offering quick fixes. Drawing primarily on UK examples whilst remaining relevant to international audiences facing similar pressures, the book provides a critical yet constructive framework that prioritizes prevention, belonging and sustainability over reactive interventions.

Written in an accessible style, this book will be of value to teachers, school leaders, education studies students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, policymakers, and others interested in how education systems can better support the mental health of students and staff.

Zielgruppe

Postgraduate, Professional Reference, Undergraduate Advanced, and Undergraduate Core

Autoren/Hrsg.

Gandhi, Purvi

Sellman, Edward

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Teildisziplinen der Pädagogik Erziehungsberatung
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Enzyklopädien, Nachschlagewerke, Wörterbücher
• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Pädagogik Bildungswesen: Organisation und Verwaltung
• Sozialwissenschaften Pädagogik Pädagogik Pädagogische Psychologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

List of Contributors

Series Editor’s Preface
– Stephen Ward

1. ‘Concerning’ Mental Health and Education: Why this book and why now?

– Edward Sellman and Purvi Gandhi

2. What Are We Talking About? Rethinking Mental Health, Wellbeing and Flourishing in Education.

– Richard Doyle, David Murphy and Stephen Joseph

3. ‘Doing Well’ and ‘Being Well’: Reconsidering Wellbeing, Care and Purpose in Education.

– Rosanna Wilson, Edward Sellman and Stephen Joseph

4. The Political Context and Leadership for Mental Health in the UK: Power Struggles Shaping Mental Health in Education

– Catherine Simon

5. Leadership for Mental Health: The Ongoing Struggle for Meaningful Change

- Paul Taylor and Matt Messias

6. Still Reeling from Covid-19: Disruption, Revelation and Missed Opportunities for Wellbeing among the ‘Lockdown’ Generation
– Rosanna Wilson and Edward Sellman

7. Mental Health by Design: Revisioning Curriculum, Pedagogy, Behaviour and Student Voice in Schools

– Purvi Gandhi and Edward Sellman

8. Mental Health, Neurodiversity and Inclusive Education

– Imene Kassous, Katy Wakelin and Juliette Gudknecht

9. Uncovering The Factors that Influence Staff Wellbeing: Why Should We Care?
– Emma Kell and Deb Outhwaite

10. Internal Services for Mental Health in UK Schools: Reality or Illusion?
– Purvi Gandhi and Adam Gillett

11. Services for Mental Health Beyond Education – Accessing the National Health Service and Other Community Services: A Perspective from Two Academic General Practitioners
– Vibhore Prasad and Raj Babla

12. The Risk of Iatrogenesis in Schools: When Well-Intentioned Interventions Do More Harm Than Good
– Rodrigo Brito and Edward Sellman

13. Re-visioning Mental Health and Education: Purpose, Relationship, and Flourishing

– Edward Sellman and Purvi Gandhi

Über Autor(innen)

Purvi (Vi) Gandhi is an educator and a practitioner psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). She has over twenty-five years of experience teaching psychology and undertakes private clinical work alongside her teaching. Vi is committed to improving psychological literacy in education. She is a member of WomenEd and a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.

Edward Sellman is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Research in Human Flourishing, University of Nottingham as well as a practising integrative transpersonal counsellor. His doctorate explored restorative approaches to conflict in schools, and he has since written many articles about mindfulness and mental wellbeing.