What is MindMatters?
A mental health promotion resource for secondary schools.
MindMatters:
- uses a whole school approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention
- aims to enhance the development of school environments where young people feel safe, valued, engaged and purposeful
- helps schools and their communities including teachers, parents and students to take positive action to create a climate of mental as well as physical health within secondary schools.
MindMatters uses a Health Promoting Schools Framework developed by the World Health Organisation1 - see Resource 1: Health Promoting Schools Framework for more information.
Figure 2 shows how schools can be an environment to provide support to the entire school community, including all students and teachers, as well as those who have higher levels of need for intervention.
- At the first level, the wellbeing of the entire school community can be promoted by creating a school environment that is conducive to the development of mental health and wellbeing.
- At the second level, the mental health-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of all students and teachers can be improved.
- At the third level, are the 20-30% of students in a school who may be experiencing problems and who need additional support to deal with these problems.
- At the final level, are the 3-12% of students who are experiencing significant problems and need professional intervention to help them cope.
| Who is involved |
Level of intervention |
The MindMatters initiative, overall, applies across the whole school environment. MindMatters Plus applies to students who need additional help in schools. MindMatters Plus GP applies to the highest support need students.
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MindMatters provides:
- resources for schools
- national professional development and training strategy
- evaluation process
- quarterly newsletter
- dedicated website for the MindMatters Plus curriculum
The website supports the MindMatters Online discussion list, which includes professionals from education, health and mental health. Members use the online discussion to source information and resources from their colleagues. Recent virtual conversations occurring across the country have addressed issues such as curriculum resources on drug and alcohol prevention, loss and grief, helping at-risk students by using creative arts, and suitable programs for primary schools. You can join the discussion list and share in this resource-rich service through the MindMatters website. Anonymity can be arranged for members if this is a requirement. |
Further background information to the MindMatters initiative
The key policies guiding the work of the
MindMatters suite of initiatives are:
- National Mental Health Plan 2003-2008
- National Suicide Prevention Strategy - Living Is For Everyone 2001
- National Action Plan for Promotion, Prevention & Early Intervention for Mental Health
- Promotion, Prevention & Early Intervention for Mental Health - A Monograph
These documents can be accessed at: http://www.mentalhealth.gov.au
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Note that two special editions of the Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling have been devoted to the MindMatters initiative and a 3rd Special Issue is planned in 2005. Current issues are:
- Special Issue: Volume 13(1) July 2003 - Mental health issues and schools
- Special Issue: Volume 14(1) July 2004 - MindMatters Plus and some mental health initiatives in schools
Click here to see these articles.
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