St Martin’s School has launched Mental Health March, a month-long wellbeing initiative aimed at supporting students and staff as mental health concerns among young people continue to rise.
Research from leading mental-health organisations indicates that half of all mental-health conditions begin before the age of 14, with many cases going undiagnosed or untreated. South African studies suggest that more than 10% of young people experience depressive disorders, while nearly 7% live with anxiety disorders. Trauma-related conditions are estimated to affect close to one in five young people.
The programme introduces a school-wide approach that encourages open conversations about emotional wellbeing while incorporating practical daily habits designed to support resilience, connection and self-awareness.
Mental Health March is structured around five weekly themes: gratitude, check-in conversations, movement and mindfulness, kindness through giving, and personal self-awareness. Activities are integrated into assemblies, classroom discussions and peer engagement, aiming to support emotional regulation and positive relationships without increasing academic pressure.
Headmaster Warren Venter said wellbeing plays an important role in creating environments where learners feel supported and equipped to manage everyday challenges.
The initiative also includes staff-focused wellbeing activities recognising the influence educators have on a school’s emotional environment. These include peer recognition initiatives, guided movement sessions and reflective gatherings aimed at strengthening connection and support among colleagues.
As part of the programme, students and staff are encouraged to consider a temporary social media break aligned with the school’s Lenten Fast. The digital pause is intended to promote greater awareness of screen habits and encourage balance in daily routines.
International organisations such as World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and UNESCO have emphasised the importance of school-based mental health programmes in improving wellbeing, attendance and academic outcomes.
The initiative forms part of a broader shift towards proactive mental health support in educational environments.
