Mental Health and Wellbeing in schools
Mental health and wellbeing supports every part of school life, from student learning and engagement to staff morale and building a positive school culture.
This health and wellbeing priority focuses on creating a safe and inclusive environment across the whole school community where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
This priority helps to bring together existing mental health and wellbeing actions. It complements programs including, Mental Health in Primary Schools and Be You.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Action Table
This action table gives an example of how the Healthy Places Framework can be applied to Mental Health and Wellbeing in schools.
Action area | Leadership and Commitment | Teaching & Learning | Physical Environment | Culture | Staff Wellbeing | Families & Communitiy Engagement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Goal | There is strong leadership support and a shared commitment to a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. | Students develop social and emotional skills and protective behaviours to build their resilience and support their mental health and wellbeing. | The built and natural environment supports mental health and wellbeing. | The school fosters attitudes, behaviours and values that support mental health and wellbeing. | Staff have access to resources and support for their own mental health and wellbeing. | The school engages, partners and collaborates with families and community organisations to support mental health and wellbeing. |
Example Actions | Demonstrate leadership’s commitment to a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. Consider the mental health and wellbeing of students, families and staff when developing emergency and critical incident management plans. | Provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences to promote help-seeking strategies and behaviours that protect mental health. Equip staff to recognise and respond to students who may require mental health support. | Incorporate opportunities for students to connect with the natural environment and access green spaces where possible. Provide quiet and calming spaces for students that consider sensory needs. | Provide a welcoming and inclusive school environment that promotes belonging and connectedness for all community members. Create clear structures and routines to develop a strong sense of predictability and calm for students and families. | Regularly promote mental health and wellbeing support services available to staff and encourage staff to access these. Ensure leaders actively prioritise staff mental health and wellbeing and role model self-care, autonomy and trust. | Engage with relevant health services and community organisations to support mental health and wellbeing activities. Provide families with guidance to access support services for mental health and wellbeing. |
Join today to see the full list of suggested actions, examples in practice and links to supporting programs and resources as outlined in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Whole-School Action Guide.
The Health and Wellbeing Priorities
The Healthy Places Framework helps schools support all health and wellbeing priorities through a set of action guides. Six health and wellbeing priorities areas each have their own guide, and a flexible action guide is also available for any health area while still following the Framework.
