Skodel, a platform designed to give every student a voice in their own wellbeing, is now available on the Apple App Store. The app makes it simple for students to complete confidential, weekly wellbeing check-ins and to connect with the right support when they need it. Skodel’s tools were developed to help schools and teachers better understand and respond to student mental health and social-emotional needs.
Skodel was co-founded by identical twins Ian and Julian Fagan together with Huon Peard. Much of the platform’s design and purpose was informed by Ian Fagan’s personal experience with mental illness during his teenage years. That lived experience shaped a tool focused on early identification, ongoing dialogue and stronger teacher-student relationships.
The core feature, the Skodel Wellbeing Check-In, is a short, guided online questionnaire that students complete on a weekly basis. These check-ins are confidential and designed to give students an easy, regular way to express how they are feeling—whether they are sharing moments of gratitude, concerns and vulnerabilities, or accomplishments and goals. Schools and teachers receive timely, actionable summaries that enable supportive conversations rather than reactive crisis responses.
Making the app available through the App Store expands access: students can receive push notifications on their mobile phones or tablets, reducing reliance on email and increasing the chance that they will complete their check-ins. In-app links to support resources and 24/7 helplines mean students can quickly connect with immediate help when necessary. For teachers, the platform provides a clear, practical way to notice patterns, identify students who may need additional attention, and open meaningful conversations that build trust and belonging.
Regular check-ins are vital because most mental illnesses first appear during adolescence. Minor events and everyday dynamics—such as the anxiety of entering high school, feeling excluded at lunch, getting braces, or missing out on team selection—can indicate shifting wellbeing. When educators have up-to-date information about how students feel, they are better positioned to support healthy social and emotional development. Small changes in classroom dialogue, informed by real-time check-in data, can help students develop healthier ways of thinking and coping.
Skodel’s research supports the idea that timely, accurate information about student wellbeing encourages more constructive conversations around mental health and helps to address the growing challenges young people face. The platform’s simple and confidential format lowers the barriers to self-expression, helping students to speak up before situations escalate into more serious distress.
Today Skodel is in use in more than 100 schools across Australia, and it is also being used in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The platform currently facilitates over 50,000 check-ins each month, giving educators frequent, meaningful insight into student wellbeing trends and individual needs.
About Skodel
Skodel Check-In was built to unlock student voices through engaging, easy-to-use outlets that let students describe how they feel. The system translates those responses into clear, actionable summaries so teachers and wellbeing staff can respond constructively. What began as a way to identify potential wellbeing issues early evolved into a broader tool for strengthening teacher-student connections. Students not only report concerns but also share their achievements, hopes, and interests—information that fosters understanding and care. By making self-expression simple and safe within the school environment, Skodel helps reduce the fear and apprehension many young people feel about speaking out.
This article was originally published by The Learning Counsel, a research institute and news media hub focused on the shift in education toward digital curriculum and student-centered learning.