Defining Mental Strength: The Work of the Taskforce
At a time when young people are navigating unprecedented pressures, from academic demands and social media, to economic inequality and societal pressures, the ability to develop self-belief, control, accountability, resilience, commitment, and connection has never been more important. We know that Mental Strength is not only a foundation for wellbeing, but also a vital skillset that empowers young people to thrive in education, work, and life.
THE TASKFORCE MISSION
We’ve launched the UK’s largest research initiative focused on understanding, measuring, and strengthening mental resilience in young people.
Why the Taskforce Matters
Supported by the Goyal Foundation, the aim of the Taskforce is to rethink how Mental Strength is understood and supported across the UK. This is not simply a research project; it is a movement to give schools, youth organisations, and policymakers the tools they need to help young people build resilience, grow in confidence, and thrive in the face of challenges.
So far, the Taskforce has:
In November, the Taskforce will share its findings, recommendations, and calls to action — a step towards lasting change in how we approach Mental Strength in education and beyond.
Celebrating Collaboration
The achievements of this work have only been possible thanks to the dedication of our Taskforce members and partners. Their expertise has shaped a new framework for Mental Strength and produced tools that schools can now use to better understand and support their pupils.
These tools not only allow schools to compare their cohorts with national benchmarks but also provide young people with personal feedback that highlights their strengths and practical steps they can take to grow.
We are deeply grateful to every member of the Taskforce for their commitment, insight, and vision.
Insights from Expert Roundtables
A vital part of the project has been a series of expert roundtables with organisations including the Goyal Foundation, Internet Matters, Youth Sport Trust, Premier League Foundation, UK Youth, UCL, The Brilliant Club, and the Careers and Enterprise Company.
These discussions explored key themes such as:
The importance of trusted adults and role models during times of transition.
Why Mental Strength should be considered essential, not optional.
The role of communities in supporting resilience.
The need for policy and cultural shifts to create lasting impact.
Together, these conversations are helping to create a shared and forward-looking understanding of Mental Strength — one that can drive real change for young people.
What We Learned from the National Survey
One of the most significant achievements of the Taskforce has been the Mental Strength Survey. This pilot survey, involving thousands of pupils from Years 7–13 across 28 schools and 9 trusts, asked young people to respond to 28 statements covering skills such as:
Willingness to stretch themselves.
Self-belief.
Social confidence.
Emotional control.
Coping with criticism.
For the first time, this has provided a national dataset that schools, trusts, and policymakers can use to better understand the Mental Strength of young people in England. This evidence offers a foundation for more effective practice and policy — and, most importantly, it gives us clearer ways to support young people’s growth.
What Schools and Pupils Receive
Schools and trusts that took part in the survey received detailed reports showing how their cohorts compare with national benchmarks, with breakdowns by year group and gender.
At the individual level, every pupil received a profile highlighting their super-strengths, areas for growth, and a “power move” — a simple, practical step they can take to boost resilience and confidence.
These reports and profiles are designed to be easy to use, giving teachers, leaders, and pupils themselves clear insights they can act on straight away.
Looking Ahead
The Mental Strength Taskforce is laying the groundwork for a national framework to understand and develop Mental Strength in young people. By combining rigorous data with expert insight and the voices of young people themselves, we are building a model that can influence schools, shape policy, and help young people thrive.
This is vital work. Together, we can ensure that Mental Strength is no longer an optional extra but a foundation for every young person’s journey towards success.
