How to Create Dedicated Space for Mental Health Support at School

The government plans to significantly increase access to Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) nationwide by 2029/30, alongside grants for schools to appoint and train Senior Mental Health Leads (SMHLs). While this is a positive step forward, many are schools simply don’t have the right spaces to run sessions effectively. Building a whole-school approach to mental health is about more than just access to a MHST and SMHL, it's about creating the right environment for early intervention and ongoing support. So, whether you already have an MHST in place or you’re looking to set up new provision, we can help you create a practical, purpose-built space designed around your school, your staff, and your pupils. Read on to find out everything you need to know!

Mental health support teams in schools

Mental health concerns such as rising levels of anxiety, low-mood, and school-related stress are affecting more and more children and young people in school and education, and the need for in-school mental health support is significant. Mental health support teams (MHSTs) and trained school staff, such as a senior mental health lead (SMHL), play an important role in delivering early intervention and offering students support before issues escalate into more serious concerns. Whether providing emotional literacy support or help with exam pressures and friendship struggles, early targeted support can have a lasting impact on a pupil's school experience and long term wellbeing. 

Why the right space makes a difference

With mental health now a key focus in schools, more settings are looking for practical ways to create space for meaningful support. Pupils are far less likely to open up and discuss their thoughts and feelings or engage with mental health support if it's facilitated in a spare office, busy corridor or makeshift corner of the staff room. It's also unlikely that these areas of the main school build can cater to the growing number of pupils who could benefit from mental health support, or facilitate effective group sessions or 1-1 interventions. 

Having a dedicated space for mental health support can make interventions more effective, provide privacy for sensitive conversations, support a calm and welcoming atmosphere, and reach more pupils who could benefit from help. Whether you’re working alongside a Mental Health Support Team (MHST), developing your whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing, or simply improving what you already have in place, having the right environment can make a real difference. Having a dedicated space shows your commitment to wellbeing and provides pupils with a safe, calm environment where they can relax and speak freely. It's about creating a supportive environment designed around the needs of your pupils and staff. 

What could a school mental health space look like?

Creating a dedicated mental health support space can look different for every school, as the requirements at each setting are unique. Some schools choose a simple calm space for one-to-one conversations, while others create a larger base for MHSTs and SMHLs to run group workshops or sessions with external agencies. Here are just a few mental health support spaces this can include:

• Flexible space for small group wellbeing workshops and mental health interventions
• Rooms for individual counselling and guided self-help
• Calm environments for breathing exercises, mindfulness sessions, and ELSA activities
• A dedicated area for exam stress workshops, discussing friendship or family challenges, and providing school anxiety support
• A collaborative space for SMHLs, MHSTs, school staff and external agencies 
• A space for early intervention, helping pupils access support before problems escalate
• Optional dual-purpose space for staff wellbeing sessions, ongoing CPD and training, and parent/carer workshops

How to Create Dedicated Space for Mental Health Support at School

1. Choose the right location

Your mental health space should provide a quiet and comfortable space which is easy for students to access without feeling self-conscious. If your main school building doesn't allow for this, a modular building or log cabin provides a flexible option! Many schools agree that offering views of greenery or nature where possible is best and therefore choose to install their modular building near the playing field, while other schools need their building in close vicinity to the main building to provide a seamless access. But don't worry, we can work with you to select the ideal location on your site so you can get the most out of your new mental health support space!

2. Think about the feel of the space

This isn’t a standard classroom. You want soft lighting, natural textures, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Avoid clinical or institutional furniture - think comfortable seating, calming colour schemes (blues, greens, warm neutrals), and personal touches that create a safe, homely feel. Consider incorporating biophilic design principles too! More about this can be found in our blog: How to Create a Biophilic Learning Environment. 

3. Design for flexibility

Mental health support might involve one-to-one sessions, small group workshops, breathing exercises, or ELSA activities. For flexibility, use zoned areas, such as a rug for relaxation, a desk for structured tasks, and a sofa or beanbags for informal chats. Include storage for sensory tools or creative resources too.

With a modular mental health support space, we can design the perfect MHST base or wellbeing room for your school. With a bespoke design process, no two school buildings or support environments are the same. 

Case study: The Wellbeing Centre at Farlington School

The student council at Farlington School raised the need for a dedicated wellbeing space on site, and we worked together to make it happen. They wanted to create a designated space for delivering wellbeing support for both the students and staff. Together, we agreed that two 17m² cabins joined together would create the perfect space for a wide variety of wellbeing support sessions, such as morning mindfulness and their school counselling drop-in sessions. In this dedicated space, Farlington even offer wellbeing support for their staff, such as providing relaxing sound bath sessions. By creating a dedicated space away from the main school building, Farlington offers a calm, supportive environment for mental health support for both students and staff to access when they need it. 

Watch our wellbeing centre case study for more ideas!

With MHSTs expanding and Senior Mental Health Leads becoming an important part of school staffing, having the right space on site makes it easier to deliver on mental health priorities day-to-day. With a modular mental health support space designed and installed by Cabins for Schools, you’ll have a professional, accessible space that pupils want to use and feel comfortable to access. Your space will be completely bespoke to the requirements at your setting, without taking up valuable classroom space or waiting years for a traditional brick and mortar building project.

It's time to make school mental health support more accessible, impactful, and more visible within your school community. Ready to explore your own mental health and wellbeing support space at your educational setting? Request a digital pricing guide. You can also contact our educational building experts and discuss what a modular mental health space could look like at your school!