MindMatters

MindMatters is a national mental health initiative that can be implemented in secondary schools. The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has created this resource and professional development for teachers and students to promote and protect the mental health, social and emotionalswell being of all members in the school community, teachers, students, parents etc.

The MindMatters program aims to:

Embed promotion, prevention and early intervention activities for mental health and well being in secondary schools across Australia. Enhance the development of school environments whereyoung peoplfelled safe, valued, engaged and purposeful Develop social and emotional skills required to meet challenges in everyday life Help school communities create an atmosphere of positive mental health and wellbeing Develop strategies that enabcon continued support for students with additional needs in relation to mental health and wellbeing Enable schools to better collaborate with families in the health sector.

The MindMatters program is a process of implementing the changes into the school. It is fundamentally about creating a Continuum of Connection to support the mental health and wellbeing of all students, including those experiencing high support needs.

The MindMatters Implementation Model is presented in the following diagram. The key dimensions are clearly differentiated by colour. The model also identifies four enablers for a whole school approach:
 * School ethos and environment
 * Curriculum; teaching and learning
 * Internal and external partnerships and services.
 * Extending leadership and participation
 * Increasing staff understanding of mental health and wellbeing
 * Making links with other key initiatives
 * Evidence-based evaluation and data collection, analysis and action.