Presentation
Optimising the wellbeing of children through a national whole-school approach to mental health promotion that engages families and communities
FRSA Conference
(2014)
Abstract
This presentation explores what it has taken to achieve student wellbeing in over 2000 KidsMatter Primary schools and pre-schools across Australia by engaging families and community from the outset. KidsMatter is Australia’s mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative for children, and is principally delivered by Principals Australia Institute (PAI) with funding from the Department of Health and Beyondblue. A core feature of the KidsMatter framework is a whole-schools approach, which recognises that children’s wellbeing is best supported when families and schools work together and utilize broader community expertise and services. A mantra of KidsMatter is ‘Action within and beyond the classroom’ underpinned by the guiding principles that ‘Parents and carers are recognised as the most important people in children’s lives’ and ‘Schools, health and community agencies work together with families’ in order to optimise outcomes for children. Evidence is presented about the importance and impact of developing strong links and partnerships between schools, families and community, particularly in communities with high proportions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
Keywords
- Families,
- Student wellbeing,
- KidsMatter,
- Primary schools,
- Preschools,
- Mental Health,
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities,
- Partnerships
Disciplines
Publication Date
November, 2014
Citation Information
Katherine L Dix. "Optimising the wellbeing of children through a national whole-school approach to mental health promotion that engages families and communities" FRSA Conference (2014) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/katherine_dix/33/