Mental Health in Schools

Overview 

The purpose of this page is to give an overview of the role of schools in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of students and to outline where relevant guidance and programs can be found. 

Summary

• Schools provide a positive and nurturing environment for students to develop confidence, social skills and healthy life habits.
• By building high resilience, schools equip students with the skills and strategies they need to tackle current and future challenges to their wellbeing and mental health.
• Schools also play a role in identifying signs of mental health issues, providing early support, and referring students to health services.
• The Department has developed an online Mental Health Toolkit to support schools to improve the mental health and wellbeing of students.
• The Mental Health Toolkit draws from existing Department resources, guidance and programs and leverages expert external advice on promoting and supporting mental health in schools.

Advice

The Mental Health Toolkit provides guidance to schools on:

• promoting mental health and wellbeing in your school
• mental health training and support
• mental health practitioners in secondary schools
• headspace counselling for secondary students
• mental health supports in primary schools
• mental health support after an emergency or natural disaster

Related policies or advice

• Respectful Relationships (program)
• Safe Schools (program)
• Student Engagement
• Student Support Services