Extra support for mental health

All government secondary students in Baw Baw will benefit from access to additional mental health support next year

The Victorian Government announced seven schools in Gippsland, including Drouin Secondary College, Neerim District Secondary College, Trafalgar High School and Warragul Regional College, would gain extra support under the Mental Health Practitioners initiative.

The $51.2 million initiative, which began in July last year, provides funding to schools to recruit a mental health practitioner. It will see qualified mental health professionals in every government secondary school campus across the state, including psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and mental health nurses.

In recognition of the increased mental health challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the roll-out has been brought forward to be completed by the end of 2021. Gippsland is expected to benefit from additional support starting in term three.

“So many of our young people are experiencing mental health challenges - this will make it easier for them to access the support they need at school,” Minister for Education James Merlino said. “This is one of the biggest issues raised with me when I talk to students, parents and carers and schools.”

Mr Merlino said all government secondary schools would receive between one and five days a week of support from a mental health practitioner depending on its size and requirements.

Mental health practitioners offer counselling and early intervention services, and coordinate support for students with complex needs, linking them with broader allied and community health services.

“We know that when our kids are happy and well supported, they can focus on their learning and have the best opportunity to succeed in education and excel in life,” Member for Eastern Victoria and Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health Harriet Shing added.

Mr Merlino said all Victorian government school students, whether they were learning remotely or attending school on-site, had been able to access mental health and wellbeing support during the pandemic. He said secondary school students could access counselling via a voice call or video conference through the headspace counselling partnership or via their school-based mental health practitioner.