Mental health at school and the challenges facing vulnerable communities

Mental health problems in the school environment are increasingly manifested through aggression, conflicts, low motivation, social isolation and school dropout. They affect students, teachers and parents throughout the country – regardless of whether we are talking about big cities or small towns, schools with or without a concentration of vulnerable groups. An analysis by the Amalipe Center places special emphasis on the factors that further hinder mental well-being in the Roma community and in schools with a concentration of students from vulnerable groups.

According to the analysis, mental health in school does not only mean the presence or absence of a diagnosis. It is manifested in the behavior of students, their relationships with peers and teachers, their ability to cope with stress and tension, as well as in their motivation to participate in the learning process. Often, problems remain “hidden” behind conflict behavior, lack of concentration, absences or aggression. Instead of being recognized as a signal of need for support, students are often defined as “problematic” or “disobedient”.

The data cited in the analysis show that between 20% and 35% of students in Europe face symptoms of anxiety and depression, and nearly half of young people report reduced mental well-being. The situation is similar in Bulgaria. At the same time, a serious problem is also observed among teachers. Studies show that a large number of them experience emotional exhaustion, chronic stress and professional burnout. This is particularly evident in schools working with vulnerable groups, where teachers often have to simultaneously play the role of educators, psychologists, social workers and mediators.

The analysis pays special attention to the additional factors that influence mental health in the Roma community. These include discrimination, ethnic bullying, school segregation, low expectations for Roma students, social exclusion and lack of trust in institutions. Factors such as early marriage, poverty, poor infrastructure in neighbourhoods, lack of safe spaces for young people and strong stigma surrounding the topic of mental health also have a significant impact. Many students and parents do not seek help because they fear social stigma or do not have information about who to turn to.

A study by the Amalipe Center, conducted in 2026 in the Veliko Tarnovo region, shows that among Roma communities and other minority groups, trust in mental health services is significantly lower than among the majority. At the same time, there is a lack of sufficient awareness of the available services and support options.

The analysis emphasizes that these problems are not related to ethnic predisposition, but are the result of social and economic factors, as well as long-standing discrimination and unequal access to opportunities. The authors warn that stigmatization of the Roma community only deepens the problem and makes it difficult to seek help.

Among the main recommendations in the analysis is the need for a comprehensive and team approach. According to the Amalipe Center, successful support requires cooperation between teachers, school psychologists, educational mediators, parents, local organizations and community leaders. Students themselves also play an important role, as they can be active participants in campaigns for tolerance, support and overcoming stigma.

The analysis also recommends that schools work actively against discrimination and ethnic bullying, develop intercultural education and set high expectations for all students, regardless of their background. It is particularly important that problems are recognized in time, and that students and their families receive accessible and human support.

In this sense, the analysis of the Amalipe Center raises the question not only of how the school responds to visible problems, but also of how it timely recognizes the invisible difficulties behind them. The topic of mental health, stress, stigma and support in a school environment is discussed in more detail in the extensive analysis, which you can read here: https://amalipe.bg/en/mental-health-at-school-can-we-talk-about-it-without-stereotypes/

Cover photo: Radost Petkova

Photos in the article: Radost Petkova and PGHLTP Yambol