Population-level approaches to increasing mental health and wellbeing in schools: KidsMatter and MindMatters

This presentation showcases the continuing expansion of the KidsMatter and MindMatters national initiatives for student mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention in primary and secondary schools across Australia – now in over 3000 schools. As part of a broad approach to reducing problem behaviour, such as bullying, KidsMatter and MindMatters use best-practice blended learning approaches that raise school capacity. Focus is given to the KidsMatter and MindMatters strategies that support schools to reduce bullying by developing whole-school policy, prevention and management strategies. Evidence from KidsMatter and MindMatters schools is presented. It demonstrates potential increases in staff understanding and confidence around their role in supporting student mental health and wellbeing, increases in students feeling safe, reductions in absenteeism, and improved academic outcomes for students. KidsMatter and MindMatters are principally delivered by Principals Australia Institute (PAI) with funding from the Department of Health and beyondblue.

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