Mental health support for school community

Her role focuses on mental health and wellbeing promotion, prevention and early intervention, rather than clinical or allied health approaches.

Principal Lisa Hitchcock said the program was a great way to start conversations about mental health.

“The sessions allow for connection and collaboration with the school community and are a great way to provide information around... supports available for student mental health and wellbeing,” she said.

“They also provide an opportunity for parents to ask questions and (to) reduce stigma around mental health.”

The program is part of a wider state government initiative called Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS).

MHiPS acknowledges that primary schools play a frontline role in recognising students struggling with mental health and wellbeing challenges.

Through the initiative, mental health and wellbeing leaders such as Ms Webb are employed to implement whole-school approaches to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families based on the needs of the school community.

The role includes working with school staff to identify and support students with mental health concerns and helping the school to create referral pathways both internally and externally for identified students.

Ms Webb is also able to work with regional staff, school wellbeing and leadership teams, teachers, parents/carers and external agencies to co-ordinate targeted mental health support for students.

Mrs Hitchcock said the program would continue as long as the school community wanted it.

“Our Lady of Sacred Heart School Elmore have found the drop-in sessions to be a great way to engage parents and is a positive and proactive plan that will continue based on community interest,” she said.

The program was implemented at the beginning of the school year, with the drop-in sessions hosted every Wednesday between 9am to 10am in the school’s Chevi Centre.