The Malinauskas Labor Government is beginning the roll out of mental health support in schools, fulfilling its election commitment to invest in the mental health and wellbeing of our young people.
An additional $50 million was part of a key election commitment to employ a central pool of 100 new mental health and learning support specialists in schools.
These professionals – including those with backgrounds in psychology, social work, or occupational therapy – will work in primary and secondary schools and provide the kind of timely support students so desperately need, as well as guidance for school staff on how to provide ongoing assistance for children.
The pilot program starts this week with advertisements for applicants for six school mental health practitioners for a pilot service to support the mental health and wellbeing of students. The successful candidates will join two Principal Mental Health Practitioners to pilot the service for students at select locations from Term 3.
They will be school based, working in three areas in metropolitan Adelaide and three in regional centres:
- Western Adelaide – Ocean View College and Le Fevre High School
- Southern Adelaide – Seaford Secondary College and local primary schools
- Northern Adelaide – Para Hills High School and Parafield Gardens High School
- Lower Mid-North – Balaklava High School and Clare High School
- Upper Mid-North – John Pirie Secondary College and local primary schools
- South East – Penola High School and local primary schools.
They will provide a range of mental health services, including assessing and supporting students with newly developing mental health concerns.
The pilot will inform the roll out more broadly, seeing 55 new staff working in schools across South Australia by the end of 2023.
This group make up more than half of the State Government’s commitment for 100 new mental health and learning support specialists to provide care and support to government primary and secondary school students.
The pilot will help collect key information about attracting the right people to these important roles and help match the scope of the service to the needs of student.
Quotes attributable to Peter Malinauskas
Supporting every child to get the most out of their school experience is at the centre of our Labor education policy.
More and more school students are experiencing mental health concerns that are having an impact on their learning.
These vital practitioners will help triage students, potentially providing early intervention options and referring students to external services.
I am really pleased we’re getting started early on what is a key investment in the mental health of young people in our state.
Quotes
Attributable to Susan Close
There are already a range of programs to promote positive student mental health and wellbeing, but this will be an important investment to assist with responses to students with mild to moderate and newly developing mental health concerns.
I’m really excited that Ocean View College is part of the program as it has a wonderful reputation of prioritising mental health and this intuitive further strengthens their resolve to wellbeing at the school and wider community.
Attributable to Blair Boyer
We have a duty to not only support the educational needs of our children, but also
their wellbeing needs.
If a child is dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, it can not only have a negative impact on the child’s wellbeing, but also on their school participation and academic achievement.
That means identifying the challenges these children face early and putting in place the professional support around them so they can grow and thrive in the school environment like their peers.
