Improving educator readiness to support student mental health

This project used a mixed-method approach to understand educator readiness to support student mental health across early childhood, school based, and tertiary settings. The study features educators and relevant support staff working with children, adolescents, and adults in formal learning settings. Relevant experts such as mental health care workers, youth wellbeing support staff, counsellors, psychologists, and other professionals involved in education settings were also invited to take part in the study. Three research questions guided the focus of the study: How does educator anxiety and worry impact on their ability to support student mental health? To what extent are educators ready (and willing) to support student mental health in education settings? and What are the enabling conditions that support educator readiness? The report commences with a literature review exploring the importance of mental health in the education sector, followed by results of an online survey of educators and relevant school staff and qualitative interviews with educators and psychology experts. Key findings of this research show that the extent of educator worry and anxiety, coupled with disparate support structures and the growing complexity of student needs, impact on educators' ability to support student mental health in a range of education settings.