The Victorian Government is committed to supporting every school to provide a positive and nurturing environment for our children to develop confidence, social skills and healthy life habits.
To do this, we have invested significantly in a range of mental health supports to primary schools and their students.
Mental Health in Primary Schools
The Victorian Government is providing $200 million over four years and $93.7 million ongoing to expand the Mental Health in Primary Schools program to every government and low-fee non-government primary school in Victoria. Scaling up across the state from 2023, by 2026 every primary school will be able to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader to implement a whole-school approach to wellbeing.
Find out more about Mental Health in Primary Schools.
Primary Welfare Officers
Primary Welfare Officers promote a whole school approach to health and wellbeing within the school community and work in collaboration with students and parents, school staff including principals, teachers, aides, specialist staff, nurses and student support services officers and with broader community agencies
Find out more about Primary Welfare Officers.
Student Support Services
Student Supports Services comprise a broad range of professionals including psychologists, speech pathologists and social workers.
They work as part of an integrated health and wellbeing team within networks of schools, focusing on providing group-based and individual support, workforce capacity building and the provision of specialised services
Find out more about Student Support Services.
The Primary School Nursing Program
Primary school nurses provide children with an opportunity to have a health assessment, information and advice about healthy behaviours and linking children and families to community based health and wellbeing services
Find out more about the Primary School Nursing Program.
SAFEMinds training
headspace is continuing to offer SAFEMinds one day training to increase foundational knowledge of mental health and emerging concerns.
The training is available to primary and secondary school staff and regional staff.
Find out more about SAFEMinds training.
Bullystoppers
Bullystoppers supports teachers, principals, parents and students to work together to help prevent and respond to bullying.
Find out more about Bullystoppers.
School Wide Positive Behaviour Support
School Wide Positive Behaviour Support is a framework that brings together school communities to develop positive, safe, supportive learning cultures.
Find our more about School Wide Positive Behaviour Support.
Board Certified Behaviour Analysts
Board Certified Behaviour Analysts is a pilot project to build the capability of student support services staff
Find out more about Board Certified Behaviour Analysts.
Respectful Relationships
Respectful Relationships supports schools and early childhood settings to promote and model respect, positive attitudes and behaviours. It teaches our children how to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence.
Find out more about Respectful Relationships.