The School Mental Health Service employs mental health practitioners who are based in schools to support young people with mild to moderate and emerging mental health concerns.

Role of school mental health practitioners

School mental health practitioners will be based in schools to provide an early intervention mental health service. They will not provide clinical diagnosis or treatment.

The service is designed to support young people who may be experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems and intervene early in the development of more serious mental health concerns.

Practitioners working in this service have a background in psychology, social work or occupational therapy. The services they provide may include:

• assessing student mental health needs and concerns
• supporting students to develop strategies to manage distress and maintain their mental health
• contributing to referral and case management processes for students with more complex mental health presentations
• supporting referrals and linking to external support services as required
• developing the mental health literacy of their school communities.

Practitioners will work collaboratively with students and families, education staff, other support service providers and external agencies to support young people to improve their psychological health and emotional wellbeing.

Service locations

The service will be available at up to 65 high schools, area schools and reception to year 12 schools, with a focus on schools with the highest need.

Schools will receive a School Mental Health Service practitioner either full time or part time, based on the number of students enrolled at the school.

How the service works with other mental health service providers

The School Mental Health Service is designed to complement – not duplicate – the range of existing mental health and wellbeing services already available in schools.

Practitioners will also work closely with external health providers to make sure students get access to treatment and support for complex and significant mental health issues.

Role of student wellbeing leaders and other support staff

Schools will continue to have Student Wellbeing Leaders, Student Support Services, the Aboriginal Education Team and other health and wellbeing roles as part of the whole-of-school support structure.

The School Mental Health Service (SMHS) is an additional service. It does not replace or duplicate any of the services that are available now.

Role of external health providers

Treatment and support of complex and significant mental health issues will continue to be the responsibility of, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), general practitioners and other health providers.

We are aware that there can be wait lists and funding challenges for students who need diagnosis and intensive clinical treatment. While the SMHS will not resolve this issue, our trained practitioners can reduce the demand on external services resulting from unsuitable referrals. Early intervention may prevent the need for a more intensive service for some students.

Why we need this service

More and more school students are experiencing mental health concerns that are having an effect on their learning.

Research shows that mental health concerns are most likely to emerge in lower secondary years, so we want to support young people when they are most likely to need it.

A key strength is the delivery of services to young people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties, or those with emerging mental health concerns.

The School Mental Health Service is well positioned to fill a gap in services and importantly allow us to intervene early.

By being placed within a school community we can provide an accessible and responsive service to those students in need.

Other wellbeing supports available in schools

We currently offer a range of programs and initiatives to support student mental health and wellbeing. Schools deliver curriculum and other programs that promote positive student mental health and wellbeing.

Student wellbeing leaders work in schools to coordinate wellbeing supports to encourage student learning. Their role includes providing advice and support to students, parents, educators and the broader community. Student wellbeing leaders can assist  with a range of issues including attendance, behaviour and learning and helping students and families to manage issues.

Student Support Services will continue to work with young people who have particular support needs, including physical, behavioural or wellbeing issues that impact on student learning.

The Aboriginal Education Team will continue to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to support their needs that may impact on student learning and support their transition from school to work, tertiary education or further training.

Register your interest to join the School Mental Health Service

If you're a qualified psychologist, social worker or occupational therapist, and interested in applying, see join the new School Mental Health Service.