May is Mental Health Awareness Month. International research shows that more and more children and adolescents are experiencing mental health difficulties. According to a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) earlier this year, the incidence of anxiety and depression among adolescents under the age of 20 has increased by around 20% between 2018 and 2022 alone. These disorders have a direct impact on learning outcomes, and there is a growing recognition that the mission of schools is not only to impart knowledge but also to create an environment where young people feel safe, heard and valued. This mission is also reflected in the activities of the Millennium Schools Programme (MSP), which is now fully implemented in all municipalities.
Exam time – an opportunity for feedback
As the national matriculation exams approach, many students and teachers are under a lot of pressure in their daily lives. As Judita Šarpienė, Programme Manager of the MSP, says, to reduce the tension about results, it is necessary to change the way we look at performance assessment. “It should not be, as I say, a judgement that you are bad or different. The aim is simply to give feedback.” This attitude not only helps to reduce anxiety but also promotes sustainable learning based on trust and open dialogue.
Based on the experience of schools participating in the MSP programme, it is clear that promoting mental health in education can become a natural part of everyday life. For example, at Ignalina Česlovas Kudaba Gymnasium, relaxation techniques are used in lessons before reports, which teach children that it is not only the result that counts, but also the ability to take care of oneself in stressful situations. Young people learn to apply these techniques individually – before the Primary Education Achievement Test (PUPP), national matriculation exams or in their daily lives. More importantly, the relaxation techniques are tested by the teachers themselves. This creates an environment where emotional security becomes part of education. Such a culture not only enhances motivation to learn, but also the overall classroom climate – which leads to better performance.
Emotional health is a necessity, not a bonus
The MSP programme focuses on emotional literacy, among other things. Through specific activities and lessons, students learn how to recognise and name their feelings, resolve conflicts and apply relaxation techniques in everyday life. The Personal Growth Diary is a multifunctional tool used in Klaipėda District Municipality to help pupils develop self-reflection, set personal goals and achieve them responsibly. The diary also develops written self-expression, emotional and social maturity and allows for a more objective monitoring of personal progress. It is not just a method – it is an invitation to grow with your thoughts and feelings.
Meanwhile, in Kaunas District Municipality, mental health is strengthened through early identification of risky behaviour. Schools have introduced a special support tool to detect in time pupils who may be at risk of emotional difficulties, suicide, psychoactive substance use or violence. Class teachers review the risk signs table twice a month and refer to educational support specialists if they notice changes. Clear algorithms and the adaptation of the methodology to the specific context of the gymnasium allow for an effective response and timely assistance. This tool contributes to a safer learning environment and strengthens the capacity of the whole community to care for the emotional well-being of students.
It’s not just the activities that matter, it’s also the spaces
The MSP programme covers both the “soft” activities, such as training, workshops and internships, and the “hard” activities, such as improving infrastructure, setting up new spaces, acquiring equipment, etc. Maintaining mental health is not only about what we do, but also where we do it. Many of the schools participating in the MSP programme create quiet spaces where pupils can be alone, calm down or simply regain emotional balance. In Ukmergė district, for example, schools have set up calm and relaxation spaces that have become a safe place to retreat after stressful situations. Changing spaces and environments to more relaxing ones is also encouraged. In Ignalina district schools, physical education lessons are also held in the swimming pool – swimming is used not only as a means of physical activity, but also as a way of relaxing, reducing stress and developing self-confidence. Such physical environments are an important part of emotional well-being in every modern school.
Psychological well-being for teachers too
The emotional atmosphere of a school is not random – it is shaped by leadership and community relationships. Research shows that a supportive, diversity-oriented culture reduces stress for both students and teachers and builds resilience (OECD, 2025). It is no coincidence that teachers’ psychological well-being is also receiving increasing attention. In the municipalities of Druskininkai, Pakruojis, Plungė, Telšiai and Rokiškis, which are participating in the MSP programme, supervision sessions are organised for teachers to discuss not only the challenges of the job, but also to build community and share experiences. In Pakruojis district, the teachers who participated in one such group said that what they take away from the supervision sessions is the courage to express their thoughts, the ability to listen and hear, and most importantly, the realisation that a teacher is not alone in his/her problems. At the same time, teachers’ professional competences are expanded, from assessing individual progress to socio-emotional development, leadership, and the use of digital and artificial intelligence tools. The classroom becomes a place not only for imparting knowledge, but also for safe growth – for both the child and the teacher.
“A 21st century school must produce a happy person, not just an ‘exam taker’.” For students to achieve academic excellence, their basic emotional needs – security, understanding, support – must be met first. This is the approach to education that the Millennium Schools programme, which helps schools to become open, inclusive and modern, is anchored in. And it is this kind of environment that lays the foundations for a sustainable, conscious and growing society,” concludes Judita Šarpienė, Head of the MSP Programme.
The main objective of the MSP programme is to reduce the disparities in pupils’ achievement and the quality of education(s) between schools in different municipalities and between different municipalities. This is achieved by investing in activities that can help the education community to implement the content of the updated curricula, to strengthen knowledge and skills, to implement inclusive education, to strengthen the leadership competences of principals and teachers, and to give additional attention to cultural and STEAM education in schools. All this is done in line with the principle of networking of schools in the municipality – encouraging sharing and cooperation rather than competition.
Original source: „Tūkstantmečio mokyklų“ programa: kaip mokyklų bendruomenėse puoselėjama psichikos sveikata? – Tūkstantmečio mokyklų programa