Students Develop Mental Health App After Winning Charity Competition

A team of six students from Blythe Bridge High School in Staffordshire Moorlands are having a mental health support application, “Mindful Mondays,” developed after winning a competition hosted by the Oli Leigh Trust.

The app aims to provide a safe, anonymous space for young people to discuss their mental health and offers challenges designed to improve well-being. Fifteen-year-old Sophie Hodgkinson, one of the students behind the project, explained, “A lot of people struggle with it silently and don’t feel like it’s ok to talk about it. There’s a lot of negative stigma around it.” The team felt a youth-led approach was crucial, with Tilly Hyatt noting, “We know what causes the stress and how to help it.”

Another team member, Anneliese Costain, described the app’s progressive approach, stating, “It will build towards having the positive foundation, so people can be happier, focus better in school and help in small increments to have better mental health in the future.” This initiative comes as schools increasingly grapple with rising rates of student mental health concerns; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health challenges are a growing public health issue among young people.

Science teacher Kristopher Knight, who introduced the Oli Leigh Trust project as part of the school’s PSHE curriculum, expressed his pride in the students’ achievement and highlighted the need for increased mental health support in schools. He added, “Any support we can throw out to our students, and any small things they can do themselves or talk to parents about can only be a positive thing.” You can learn more about the Oli Leigh Trust and their work here.

The students are now working with developers to finalize the app, with a planned launch date yet to be announced.