Could a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHWL) model help primary schools to better meet the needs of students?

Published

Monday, April 4, 2022 - 12:00 PM

The MHiPS pilot program – which originally began with 10 metropolitan and regional primary schools in Victoria in 2020 – is expanding to 100 schools in 2022. The research study aims to discover if implementing a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHWL) model in primary schools increases the capacity to meet the mental health needs of students.

Schools trialling the MHWL model have invited staff (classroom teachers, education support staff and school leadership) and parents of students in years 2 and 4 to participate.

The project will run for 18 months (Feb 2022-July 2023) and the research team will capture information useful to assessing whether the MHWL model contributes to strengthening mental health and wellbeing support for students.

The growth of the program coincides with The National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2021 and the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System including recommendations to better address the wellbeing needs of children under 12 years. You can follow the progress of the project via this website. For further information email mhips@mcri.edu.au