What is MindMatters?
MindMatters is the national mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative for Australian secondary schools. It provides evidence based resources for classroom use, professional development for teachers, support for school leadership and a website to increase students’ awareness of mental illness, reduce stigma and increase help-seeking behaviours.
MindMatters is currently being implemented by Principals Australia. headspace has been engaged as the mental health partner to provide mental health expertise and enhance the content of MindMatters.
MindMatters is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Why is this important?
Research has shown that 14% of Australian children and adolescents aged 4-17 have mental health problems and that only 1 out of every 4 of these young people receives professional health care. In addition, adolescents with mental health problems report a high rate of suicidal thoughts and other health-risk behaviour including smoking, drinking and drug use.
The enhancement and development of school environments where young people feel safe, valued, engaged and purposeful has been empirically linked with improving the social and emotional health and wellbeing for young people.
Who benefits?
The school community as a whole, including students, their parents, families and/or carers, as well as school staff benefit from MindMatters.
What does MindMatters deliver?
All Australian secondary schools have access to the MindMatters initiative through the provision of:
- evidence based resource materials;
- a website: www.mindmatters.edu.au;
- Professional Development; and
- school support through State Based Officers.
The MindMatters evidence based resource materials and Professional Development are currently being redeveloped. Resource materials and Professional Development will continue to cover a range of mental health issues as well as whole school approaches to mental health and wellbeing. The redevelopment of MindMatters will also see a greater focus on early intervention and the ways in which school communities can better support young people at risk of developing mental health problems.
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How does it work?
MindMatters represents a dynamic partnership between the health and education sectors at the Federal and State/Territory levels and across all education systems (State, Catholic and Independent) throughout Australia.
Schools have responded to the voluntary uptake of MindMatters and the whole school framework it offers which provides for flexible applications and acknowledges the variation in school readiness, needs and resources. Core school teams assist with the implementation of MindMatters in local schools and the continuing improvement of supportive school environments.
What funding is attached to this initiative?
Funding of $4.888 million has been committed for 2011, for the implementation of the MindMatters initiative.
When did MindMatters start?
MindMatters was first launched in 2000 and continues to be implemented across Australia.
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How is MindMatters progressing?
A number of student changes and or patterns of improvement have been reported in MindMatters schools - most of which are key elements to improving mental health outcomes for students. Teachers and students have reported:
- an increase in student help-seeking behaviours;
- an increase in knowledge and skills associated with mental health, and
- a reduction in bullying and a greater sense of attachment to schools.
Further information
Visit the MindMatters website www.mindmatters.edu.au
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Page currency, Latest update: 08 August, 2011