Education Views > Volume 17 - Number 6 >

Healthy children better learners

Page 10 Vol. 17, No. 6, July 2008 (by Kasey Gardiner)

Students who are mentally and physically healthy learn better and have better relationships with their teachers, family and peers.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said tackling the issue of student health - be it mental or physical - was a priority for Education Queensland.

"We encourage students to embrace a healthy, active lifestyle by taking part in physical activity and healthy eating, particularly in the Year of Physical Activity," Mr Welford said.

"It is also important to ensure all state schools actively support the social and emotional development of students and school staff are skilled to do this," he said.

Assistant Director-General of Student Services Clare Gardiner-Barnes said KidsMatter recognised the importance of mental health to students' learning and wellbeing.

"Findings from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing suggest 14 per cent of Australian primary school children experience mental health difficulties," Ms Gardiner-Barnes said.

"Young people are growing up in an increasingly complex society with access to more information than they have ever had in the past."

"While this brings with it more diverse ways of communicating with others, it also presents new challenges that at times really test the resilience of young people."

Ms Gardiner-Barnes said some students could become stressed, anxious, sad or depressed because of issues at home, problems with their friendships and other outside factors.

"Research tells us by investing in the social skills and emotional development of students we are improving their capacity to learn and laying the foundation for healthy coping strategies and the ability to bounce back from challenging situations," she said.

"If we can intervene early and encourage them and their families to seek help when they need it we can reduce the negative impact of mental health difficulties and the stigma often associated with it."

One hundred and one schools nationally, including 17 from Queensland, are participating in a trial of KidsMatter. Ms Gardiner-Barnes said teachers were ideally placed to identify students who showed early signs of mental health difficulties.

Acting deputy principal of The Willows State School, in Townsville, Saranne Meikle said KidsMatter had been a boon to staff, parents and students.

"KidsMatter gives schools the resources they need to take a comprehensive approach to students ' mental health," she said.

"Our work has already helped remove some of the stigma attached to mental illness and has helped both girls and boys realise it's OK to be sad sometimes and to talk more freely about problems they may be having," she said.

"The program also encourages parents to get more involved in day-to-day school activities and we are finding this has been incredibly well received."

Schools around the state are implementing various social and emotional learning programs such as You Can Do It, Bounce Back! and Aussie Optimism to help young Queenslanders to reach their full potential.

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