In the wake of global changes in education, we’re witnessing a concerted focus on academic recovery. Yet, beneath the surface of test scores and curriculum adjustments lies a more fundamental challenge: the architecture of school wellbeing.

Recent data shows 13-20% of 10-19 year olds worldwide experience mental health conditions, with 50% of all mental health challenges beginning by age 14 (World Health Organization [WHO], 2024; Mental Health Foundation, n.d.). With this age-range mostly in school, this positions educational institutions at the frontline of youth mental health support.

For schools across Africa, this reality intersects with unique challenges and opportunities. Our diverse cultural contexts, rapid societal changes, and varying resource landscapes demand thoughtful, adaptable approaches to wellbeing. African schools aren’t just educational institutions; they’re communities that often serve as primary support systems for students, families, and staff alike.

The question isn’t whether we need wellbeing systems, the data clearly shows we do. Dougherty and Sharkey (2017) and Taylor et al. (2022) emphasize the links between supporting wellbeing in schools and academic success. The real questions are: How do we build these systems efficiently, and how do we ensure they’re culturally responsive and sustainable, reflecting our communities’ values and needs?

Join us at the AISA West Africa Level-Up Conference 2024 where I’ll be facilitating a workshop on  “Wellbeing in Action: Designing Systems to Inspire Resilient Futures” to explore these questions and more. Through collaborative workshops, alongside other dynamic sessions led by experienced facilitators, we’ll work together to shape the future of wellbeing in African schools.

References

Dougherty, D., & Sharkey, J. (2017). Reconnecting youth: Promoting emotional competence and social support to improve academic achievement. Children and Youth Services Review, 74, 28–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.01.021

Mental Health Foundation. (n.d.). Children and young people: Statistics. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/children-young-people-statistics

Taylor, L., De Neve, J., DeBorst, L., & Khanna, D. (2022). Well-being in education in childhood and adolescence. International Baccalaureate Organization.

World Health Organization. (2024, October 10). Mental health of adolescents. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health