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PRESS RELEASE: Sing Up Foundation Launches Survey on Children's Mental Health and Singing

Teachers and practitioners invited to share insights on using singing to support young people's wellbeing 

Sing Up Foundation logo

As mental health challenges among children reach crisis levels worldwide, Sing Up Foundation is launching research to inform its State of Play report, a comprehensive report of how singing and vocal work supports children and young people's mental health and wellbeing. 


The Foundation's Practitioner Survey (https://bit.ly/SUFSurvey2026), live this week, will gather insights from teachers, music leaders, mental health professionals, and youth workers internationally to build this critical picture of current practice, challenges, and support needs. 


The Growing Crisis 

Mental health challenges among children and young people have reached crisis levels globally. In England, one in five (20%) children aged 8-16 had a probable mental condition in 2023, according to NHS Digital, a sharp increase from one in nine in 2017. Similar patterns are emerging internationally, with schools and community settings increasingly on the front lines of this crisis, yet practitioners often report feeling under-prepared to respond effectively. 


Research conducted by Sing Up Foundation in 2022 found that 84% of practitioners reported increased mental health needs among the children they work with, yet only 26% felt "very prepared" to address these challenges. 


Understanding Current Practice 

"Our State of Play report will provide a comprehensive view of how singing and vocal work is being used to support children's mental health," said Celi Barberia, Joint Head of Foundation at Sing Up Foundation. "But we can't do that without practitioners' voices. We need to hear directly from those on the front lines about what's working, what barriers you face, and what support you actually need. These insights will shape not just the report, but the training, resources, and advocacy we develop going forward." 


The seven-minute confidential survey explores: 

  • Current practice in using singing and vocal work for mental health and wellbeing 

  • The severity and types of mental health challenges practitioners are encountering 

  • Barriers preventing effective support 

  • Skills gaps and training needs 

  • What resources and support would be most valuable 


Why Singing Matters 

While waiting lists for mental health services stretch for months, evidence suggests that music and singing can play an important role in supporting children's wellbeing, from universal prevention to targeted intervention. 


"This isn't just data collection," added Baz Chapman, Joint Head of Foundation. "The State of Play report will be an important resource for the sector, documenting what's really happening, what's working, and where the gaps are. It will give us the evidence we need to advocate for better support and recognition of this vital work." 


State of Play Report 

Findings from this survey will inform Sing Up Foundation's State of Play report, a comprehensive report of how singing and vocal work is being used to support children and young people's mental health and wellbeing. It will be published in spring 2026 and will provide a useful resource for practitioners, policymakers, and organisations worldwide, documenting current practice, identifying what works, and making recommendations for sector support. 


All survey participants can opt to receive a copy when published. 


Who Should Participate 

The survey is open to anyone working with children and young people, including: 

  • Teachers (mainstream and SEND) 

  • Music leaders and practitioners 

  • Music therapists 

  • Mental health professionals 

  • Youth workers 

  • Community arts practitioners 

  • Senior leaders and headteachers 


Practitioners do not need specialist expertise or to be currently using singing for mental health work. The Foundation is interested in perspectives from all experience levels. 


Survey Details 

The Practitioner Survey is now open and will close on Friday, 17 January 2026. The survey takes five to ten minutes to complete and all responses are confidential. 

To participate, visit: https://bit.ly/SUFSurvey2026  

 

ENDS 

 

Notes to Editors 

  1. The Sing Up Foundation (www.singupfoundation.org) produces, promotes and creates opportunities for children and young people to improve their mental health and wellbeing through singing. Through partnerships, resource development and innovation the Sing Up Foundation – explores and highlight effective practice, connects practice with research, creates research-based pilot projects to build and share knowledge and understanding and increase impact, and supports and develops the workforce and settings surrounding children and young people. 

  2. The Sing Up Foundation is Sing Up’s charitable arm focused on producing charitable activities through fundraising, partnerships and innovation. The Foundation shares in Sing Up’s goal to ensure that children and young people have opportunities to sing and make music regularly and well for all the benefits that research shows that brings, with a particular focus on mental health and wellbeing.  

  3. Sing Up (www.singup.org) is an award-winning organisation that provides resources, training and guidance to support singing and music in schools. Sing Up believes that all children and young people have a right to good quality singing provision, to deepen their understanding of music and singing, raise attainment and develop lasting tools to express themselves with confidence and creativity. With over 15 years of experience at the forefront of music education, Sing Up’s specially arranged songs, teaching tools and support put singing and music at the heart of learning.    

  4. The statistics cited (84% reporting increased mental health needs, 26% feeling very prepared) come from Sing Up Foundation's 2022 website visitor survey of practitioners working in music education and children's wellbeing. 

  5. The "one in five" statistic comes from NHS Digital's Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2023 (wave 4 follow up to the 2017 survey). The survey found that 20.3% of 8-16 year olds had a probable mental disorder in 2023, representing a significant increase from 10.8% (one in nine) in 2017. Source: NHS Digital (2023). Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-of-children-and-young-people-in-england/2023-wave-4-follow-up 


Media Contact 

For press enquiries, interviews, or further information: 

Email: press@singup.org Phone: 0204 566 9666 

Celi Barberia and Baz Chapman, Joint Heads of Foundation, are available for interview throughout January 2026. 

Images available on request. 


Survey Information 

Practitioner Survey Closes: 17 January 2026  

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