KidsMatter is a primary school mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative developed in collaboration with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Beyondblue: the national depression initiative, the Australian Psychological Society, the Australian Principals Associations Professional Development Council (APAPDC) and supported by the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund. The KidsMatter initiative aims to:
- Improve the mental health and well-being of primary school students.
- Reduce mental health problems among students (eg. anxiety, depression and behavioural problems).
- Achieve greater support and assistance for students at risk or experiencing mental health problems.
What is the theory behind the KidsMatter initiative?
The KidsMatter Initiative is aiming to strengthen those factors that protect students from developing mental health problems. Some of these factors reside within the student (eg. being socially and emotionally competent), some occur within the school context (eg. having a school climate where students feel safe, that they belong, and have opportunities to experience success) and some reside within the family context (eg. having supportive and caring relationships with parent/s, family and community). It is particularly important to strengthen these protective factors in students who are at risk or who are experiencing mental health problems.
For some great resources - check out the KidsMatter website at www.kidsmatter.edu.au/