School staff play a significant role in supporting the wellbeing and mental health of their students. The
Student Learning and Wellbeing Framework guides school in implementing a whole school approach to supporting students’ wellbeing and mental health and provides concrete ways that staff can nurture their students’ wellbeing.
Supporting the framework, the
Supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing procedure outlines the roles and responsibilities of school staff in promoting mental health and wellbeing, intervening early, and providing specialised intervention and case management for students with mental health concerns. For detailed information about what mental health is and how to recognise concerns in students see
Fact sheet—Mental health (DOCX, 345KB). Additional information for school staff about the department’s approach to supporting students’ wellbeing and mental health is available on OnePortal.
Staff can also access information and resources about supporting students’ wellbeing and mental health through national initiatives including:
-
BeYou a national initiative for educators, aimed at promoting and protecting positive mental health in children and young people.
-
Student Wellbeing Hub provides high quality, age-appropriate information and resources targeted specifically to educators, parents and students to support student wellbeing and safety.
Providing support to students and families
As school staff, there may be times when students or families come to you for help and advice about how to support their wellbeing and mental health. It is important to follow your responsibilities outlined in the
Supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing procedure and seek advice and support from your guidance officer or other members of your school’s student support team. In addition if you believe that a student or family is in need of additional or more intensive support, it is important to be able to point them in the right direction. The following agencies provide advice and support to young people and their families to ensure they can get the support they need.
For children and young people:
-
Kids Helpline provides information and advice for children and young people. This site is linked to the telephone counselling service.
-
Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
-
Youth Beyond Blue is a dedicated site for young people that provides information, resources and support for young people dealing with depression and/or anxiety.
-
headspace provides tailored and holistic mental health support to 12-25 year olds. headspace has a focus on early intervention, working with young people to provide support to help get them back on track and strengthen their ability to manage their mental health in the future.
-
Smiling Mind is a mindfulness app for young people. It has been developed by a team of psychologists and uses mindfulness to boost calmness, contentment and clarity.
-
Student Wellbeing Hub provides high quality, age-appropriate information and resources targeted specifically to educators, parents and students to support student wellbeing and safety.
For parents, carers and families:
-
Parentline is a confidential phone and WebChat counselling service supporting parents and carers of children.
-
Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women provides information about support available for parents and carers in Queensland.
-
Child and youth mental health services provide information about referral requirements and includes opening times and contact information.
-
Student Wellbeing Hub provides high quality, age-appropriate information and resources targeted specifically to educators, parents and students to support student wellbeing and safety.