Resilient Minds: A School-Based Model for Mental Health
Resilient Minds is a co-designed mental health programme delivered across Luton secondary schools in partnership with Chiltern Learning Trust and the Muslim Mind Collaborative.
Developed with students and embedded within the curriculum, the programme supports young people to better understand and manage their mental health in ways that reflect their lived experiences.
What we delivered
- A 6-session mental health curriculum integrated into school learning
- Student advisory groups shaping content and delivery
- Whole-year assemblies and enrichment sessions
- Teacher training and classroom resources
- A student workbook to support reflection and engagement
The programme reached 2,200+ students across two secondary schools.
What changed
Resilient Minds has led to measurable shifts in understanding, confidence and school culture:
- 2/3 of girls and 70% of boys improved their understanding of mental health
- 61% of girls and over 75% of boys now define mental health holistically
- Over 90% of girls and nearly 9 in 10 boys feel more confident supporting peers
- More than half of students now say mental health is spoken about openly in school
Students are no longer just recognising stress, they are developing the language, tools and confidence to respond.
Why it matters
Many young people are navigating pressure beyond the classroom.
- 1 in 5 young people experience mental health challenges
- Only 1 in 3 receive the support they need
- In Luton, around 45% of children are growing up in poverty
Within this context, students told us they felt overwhelmed by exams, unsure how to manage stress, and unclear about where to turn for support.
Mental health was often seen as something associated with crisis, not something to understand, talk about, or manage day-to-day.
Resilient Minds responds to this gap by embedding practical, preventative mental health education within schools, shaped by the realities of young people’s lives.
Resilient Mind Student Advisory Group
What’s next
Building on this work, a student-led social media campaign will launch for World Mental Health Day 2026, creating a platform for young people to shape conversations and influence change beyond the classroom.
Explore the full Resilient Minds report, including detailed findings, curriculum insights and resources: