Better Mental Health and Wellbeing for Kids
More than 700 schools are now participating in the successful KidsMatter primary program, an initiative to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the nation’s primary school students.
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28 June 2012
More than 700 schools are now participating in the successful KidsMatter primary program, an initiative to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the nation’s primary school students.
The program is the first national mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative developed specifically for primary schools.
Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler said KidsMatter was well ahead of plans to expand to 2,000 primary schools by June 2014.
“Evidence shows that one in seven primary school students have challenges with social and emotional development,” Mr Butler said.
“When identified and treated early, these challenges are less severe, don’t last as long, and are less likely to recur and develop into serious mental disorders later in life.
The KidsMatter primary program provides schools, parents and teachers with expert knowledge, tools and support to help children learn about good mental health and how to build their resilience and coping skills.
“The program helps teachers and parents to identify issues and act early to ensure children receive the care they need as soon as they need it.
“Once fully implemented, KidsMatter primary will help us improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of more than 340,000 Australian children,” he said.
Mr Butler said that mental health awareness programs like KidsMatter primary also had a direct benefit on a child’s education and on the performance of schools.
“Evidence has found that when mental health is made a priority in schools, children are less likely to have behavioural problems and learning difficulties, and staff experience higher levels of job satisfaction,” he said.
Last year, the Labor outlined the largest ever financial commitment to mental health ever made in this country, a $2.2 billion investment over 5 years.
Labor is providing $18.4 million to expand KidsMatter Primary, an iniative managed by BeyondBlue in collaboration with the Australian Psychological Society, Early Childhood Australia and the Principals Australia Institute.
For more information contact the Minister’s Office on 02 6277 7280
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