Mental Health
METRO | In Person or Online REGIONAL | Online
The Importance of Mental Health Education in Schools
In today’s rapidly changing world, mental health is just as important as physical health. Understanding and addressing mental health challenges is crucial for fostering a supportive and nurturing learning environment. Mental health education is not just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity in the modern education system. By prioritising mental health, schools can foster a supportive, productive, and thriving learning environment. Investing in mental health education benefits students, teachers, and the entire school community, leading to a healthier, happier, and more successful future.
Our fun and interactive presentations focus on raising awareness about mental health and reducing the stigma associated with mental health challenges. We provide teachers and students with the knowledge and tools to help manage mental health challenges in themselves or someone close to them.
We can provide presentations anywhere within the 200km radius of Perth (or online across WA)
Here’s why mental health education in schools matters:
Enhances Student Well-Being
Mental health education empowers students with the knowledge and tools they need to manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. By promoting mental wellness, schools can help students lead healthier and happier lives both inside and outside the classroom.
Improves Academic Performance
Students who feel mentally well are more likely to be engaged and perform better academically. Mental health education helps to reduce absenteeism and improve concentration, leading to better academic outcomes. By supporting mental well-being, schools can enhance overall student performance and achievement.
Reduces Stigma and Encourages Open Communication
One of the most significant barriers to addressing mental health in the workplace is stigma. Education can play a vital role in normalising conversations about mental health, reducing stigma, and encouraging employees to seek help when needed. An open and supportive culture helps individuals feel comfortable discussing their mental health without fear of judgement.
Promotes Positive Behaviour and Social Skills
A mentally healthy school environment promotes positive interactions and stronger relationships among students. Understanding mental health can lead to better teamwork, empathy, and social skills. When students feel supported, they are more likely to support one another, creating a harmonious and inclusive school environment.
Supports Emotional Development
Mental health education is crucial for the emotional development of students. It helps them understand and manage their emotions, cope with stress, and develop resilience. This foundation is essential for their overall personal growth and future success.
Prepares Students for the Future
Incorporating mental health education into the curriculum prepares students for the challenges they may face in the future. It equips them with the skills to navigate life’s ups and downs, fostering a generation that is more resilient, compassionate, and mentally healthy.
Enhances Teacher and Staff Awareness
Mental health education is not only beneficial for students but also for teachers and staff. It increases awareness and understanding among educators, enabling them to recognise signs of mental health issues and provide appropriate support. A well-informed staff can create a more supportive and responsive learning environment.
Creating a Culture of Wellness
Integrating mental health education into school policies and practices is essential for creating a culture of wellness. It signals to students and staff that mental health is a priority and that they are supported in maintaining their well-being. This cultural shift can have far-reaching positive effects on both individuals and the school community as a whole.
For Students in Years 7 to 10
3 x one-hour presentations
Module 1: Starting Conversations
- Mental health symptoms and misconceptions
- How to check in with a friend
- Identifying other mental health services
Module 2: Facing Challenges
- Identifying risk factors including substance use, loneliness and social media
Module 3: Positive Choices
- Practice ways to boost mental wellbeing
- Introduction to mindfulness meditation
For Students in Years 5 to 7
one-hour presentation
- Types of bullying
- On-line
- Off-line
- Why people bully
- Ways to prevent bullying
For Students in Years 6 to 9
One-hour presentation
This presentation aims to increase knowledge and understanding about:
- The positives of social media
- Social media and links to mental health issues
- Not believing everything you see on social media
- Cyber-bullying
- Healthy and safe social media use
For Students in Years 10 to 12
One hour presentation
This presentation aims to increase knowledge and understanding about:
- Practicing Mental Fitness
- Awareness of emotional skills including adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies
- Introduction to mindfulness meditation
Presentations for students, teachers & parents.
Our range of free presentations are designed to enhance your understanding & confidence around promoting good mental health and navigating mental health challenges personally and professionally.
Contact us or complete the booking form above to register your interest in booking a presentation.
For Primary School Staff
60-90 minute presentation
This presentation aims to increase knowledge and understanding about:
- Investigating anxiety in young people
- Recognising and understanding emotions and feelings
- Supporting strategies to promote confidence and independence
- Implementing mindfulness in the classroom
For adults, teachers and community groups
One-hour presentation
This presentation aims to increase knowledge and understanding about:
- Investigating protective factors
- Living out the Mental Healthy WA “Act – Belong – Commit” message
- How to check in with a friend
Book a Presentation
Early Intervention and Young Carer Support Programs
HelpingMinds delivers a range of programs, facilitated by counsellors, to support the mental wellbeing of young people at risk of developing a mental health concern aged 7-18 years in the following areas:
- City of Swan
- Gascoyne
- Midwest and the
- Kimberley
We also offer programs to young people with a loved one, friend or relative with a mental health concern in Western Australia.
These programs can be facilitated in-school or after school at a location of your choice. HelpingMinds psychoeducational programs typically are facilitated over 6 weeks for a duration of 1 hour each week for up to 6 children per program.
Each session can be tailored to the cultural needs or interests of your community.
Contact us today to make a booking or to find out more.
Focus on mental health, art exploration and mindfulness.
- Young people gain an increased understanding of Mental Health and how to use art to support their mental health wellbeing.
- Explore ways of expressing yourself through art and improve self-esteem and awareness.
- Utilise the creative process of producing art to practice mindfulness as a way of relieving stress.
- Explore ways of using art to regulate emotions and practice self-care.
Focus on movement, mental health wellbeing and dance as a protective behaviour for managing emotions.
Our Dance Connection Series consists of 7 programs that can be facilitated in-schools each focussing on a different domain these are:
- Physical
- Cultural
- Emotional
- Cognitive
- Social
- Friendships
- Resilience
Focus on mental health and building resilience.
The presentation aims to
- Focus on mental health and building resilience.
- Increase in ability to cope effectively as a young carer.
- Increase in self-esteem and help seeking behaviours.
- Increase in understanding of mental illness, its causes and treatment.
- Increase understanding and acceptance of emotions.
- Increase ‘toolkit’ of coping behaviour and skills.
- Reduction in feelings of isolation.
Focus on the mental health challenges for youth transitioning to high school
The presentation aims to
- Address the challenges that transitioning to high school can provide.
- Explain how to ask for help.
- Explain the right pathways to access support.
- Improve resilience in the face of adversity.
Client Feedback
Thank you so much again for coming out to our school and delivering the workshop. We really appreciate the time and effort it took and think it was a valuable resource for our students.
Just writing to let you know we are hearing great feedback from our students about your presentation yesterday. They found it engaging and easy to understand. Some of my students told me they practiced the breathing exercises before going to bed!
Thank you again for your collaboration!
I've seen many Helping Minds presentations over the last few years and found the content and activities were even more awesome this year and worked really well. We had Megan running sessions this week and she was a great presenter. She was really engaging, interesting and personable and the kids seemed to like her a lot and got lots out of the sessions. I was really impressed and we would have her back in a heartbeat - she was awesome! Thanks again for the workshops!
You gave such a fabulous presentation on boosting your wellbeing and from the feedback we received from the delegates, they said they had picked up some really helpful information and strategies from you. It was a perfect way to start off our PL Day – a great reminder to stop and take care of our mental health and that of co-workers too.”
