More mental health support for secondary students in daylesford

(Photo taken prior to COVID-19)

Secondary school students in Daylesford will soon have access to the school-based mental health support they need, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, today announced that Daylesford Secondary College will receive support under the Mental Health Practitioners initiative from Term 3 this year.

Aimed at improving mental health outcomes for students in Victorian secondary schools, students at Daylesford Secondary will be able to access support from a qualified mental health professional.

The $51.2 million initiative, which started in July last year, has so far provided funding for 120 secondary school campuses across the state to recruit a suitably qualified mental health professional, with a further 32 secondary school campuses to receive funding in Term 3 and 69 secondary school campuses in Term 4.

Once fully rolled out, the initiative will see suitably qualified mental health professionals in every government secondary school campus across the state, including psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and mental health nurses.

Mental health practitioners offer counselling and early intervention services, and act as coordinating support for students with complex needs, linking them with broader allied community and health services.

All government secondary schools will receive between one and five days a week of support from a mental health practitioner depending on its size and requirements.

This builds on the $65.5 million investment in student health and wellbeing initiatives in schools, including the Victorian Anti-Bullying and Mental Health Initiative, the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support program, as well as increased investment in allied health and nursing services.

The Labor Government established a landmark Royal Commission into Mental Health and will implement every one of its recommendations.

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP
"We know that mental health is an important issue for young people the Daylesford and Hepburn region, and this great announcement means that our students can access additional professional support when they need it."

"When our kids are happy and well supported, they can focus on their learning and have the best opportunity to succeed at school and excel in life."