Increased support for mental health for children in rural and regional primary schools has been announced by the Department of Health.
A total of $2.5 million funding is to be provided to the Smiling Mind evidence-based mindfulness social and emotional learning program.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said half of all mental health issues emerged before the age of 14 years and poor mental health affected a person’s learning.
“Smiling Mind will benefit thousands of children a year,” Mr Hunt said.
“The online program runs over three school terms each year, involving both school staff training in mindfulness and resources to sustain the program and its benefits for the school,” he said.
“It will also include assistance for schools to gauge the positive impact the program is having on each school community, as well as ongoing support from psychologists and mindfulness experts.”
Mr Hunt said students and their families faced many challenges over the past year as the nation responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Smiling Minds will ensure more children can access mental health support, which will help keep their education on track,” the Minister said.
“It is a world leading program, building healthy minds, engaged classrooms and equipping a generation of children with skills they need to thrive in life.”
The program is to be available in Government, Catholic and independent primary schools in rural or regional communities experiencing disadvantage.