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| | | | For further information email kidsmatter@apapdc.edu.au
KidsMatter is a primary school mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative developed in collaboration with the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing, beyondblue: the national depression initiative, the Australian Psychological Society, the Australian Principals Associations Professional Development Council (APAPDC) and supported by the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund.
The KidsMatter initiative aims to:
- Improve the mental health and well-being of primary school students
- Reduce mental health problems among students (eg., anxiety, depression and behavioural problems)
- Achieve greater support and assistance for students experiencing mental health problems.
 Download a copy of the KidsMatter Overview Document
Download a copy of the KidsMatter brochure The KidsMatter website is currently under construction, and will be available during the first half of 2008. In the interim you can find out information about the intiative on this temporary site, including links to the KidsMatter newsletters.
If you would like to look at the current KidsMatter newsletter or subscribe to future editions: click here
Click here for a list of the KidsMatter schools.You can find out more about the what, why and how of KidsMatter in the material that is archived below. | |
The 2006-2008 timeline What is KidsMatter? KidsMatter is a primary school mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative developed in collaboration with the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing, beyondblue: the national depression initiative, the Australian Psychological Society, the Australian Principals Associations Professional Development Council (APAPDC) and supported by the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund. The KidsMatter initiative aims to:
- Improve the mental health and well-being of primary school students
- Reduce mental health problems among students (eg., anxiety, depression and behavioral problems)
- Achieve greater support and assistance for students experiencing mental health problems.
Schools have a significant influence on students' emotional, social and behavioural development. There is a growing understanding that the primary school years represent a significant opportunity for mental health promotion, and the prevention and early intervention of mental health problems in children.
Students who are mentally healthy learn better, have better relationships with teachers, family members and peers, and exhibit greater resiliency in meeting life's challenges. Ultimately these students are better placed to successfully negotiate the transition into adolescence and adulthood: they are less likely to exhibit serious mental health problems and have a greater capacity to achieve long-term education and career goals.
Conversely, mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and behavioural disorders significantly compromise the quality of life of young people, diminishing their capacity for schooling, relationships and community participation. Of concern is that mental health problems are appearing earlier, and are more persistent, complex and damaging.
"Schools have a profound influence on children, their families and the community. Young people's ability and motivation to stay in school to
learn and utilise what they learn is affected by their mental health.
Schools are crucial in building or undermining self-esteem and a sense of confidence." World Health Organisation 1995.
What is the theory behind the KidsMatter initiative?
The KidsMatter Initiative is aiming to strengthen those factors that protect students from developing mental health problems. Some of these factors reside within the student (eg. being socially and emotionally competent), some occur within the school context (eg. having a school climate where students feel safe, that they belong, and have opportunities to experience success) and some reside within the family context (eg. having supportive and caring relationships with parent/s, family and community). It is particularly important to strengthen these protective factors in students who are at risk or who are experiencing mental health problems.
We know that:
- Protective factors for student mental health can be enhanced
- Early signs of mental health problems can be detected in young children
- Mental health problems are easier (and more effective) to treat at an earlier age before problems become entrenched
To improve the mental health and wellbeing of their students, KidsMatter schools will focus on four key components over two years.
These are:
1. A Positive School Community
Schools identify how they can enhance their school climate to support student mental health and well-being, giving particular emphasis to ensuring that students,staff and parents feel 'connected' to each other and the broader school community.
2. Social and Emotional Learning for Students
Students receive social and emotional curriculum using evidence-based programs to improve their self-awareness, social-awareness, self-management, relationship skills and their capacity for responsible decision-making.
3. Parenting Support and Education
Parents and families receive opportunities to access information on child development and parenting, as well as engage with other parents and families.
4. Early Intervention for students experiencing mental health difficulties
School staff and parents receive information on strategies to support and assist children experiencing mental health problems. This includes information on detecting signs of mental health difficulties in young children, information on local service providers and how to access evidence-based programs and interventions.
When will KidsMatter commence and how long will it go for?
KidsMatter began during the second half of 2006 and consists of two stages:
- Stage 1 (late 2006 to end 2008):
One hundred and one primary schools across Australia, representing a broad cross section of government, catholic and independent schools (both metropolitan and non-metropolitan) have been selected to participate in an initial evaluation that commenced in September 2006, with a completion date of December 2008. Of these 101 schools, 50 will participate as 'Group 1' Schools and 50 as 'Group 2' Schools.
- An evaluation team, consisting of a consortium comprising Flinders University, the Department of Education and Childrens Services (DECS) and the University of South Australia had the complex task of equitably representing the diverse range of schools across states/territories and sectors, from all the applications received.
- Data was fed into a computer program so that schools could be divided into matched groups, with similar variables being compared. Schools were then randomly assigned starting dates.
- Group 1 Schools attended an initial two day briefing with 3 members of their school staff, including the principal, in Adelaide on 11 and 12 September 2006. This group is called the KidsMatter Action Team. During these two days the Action Team received a KidsMatter Implementation Manual and information on the KidsMatter Programs guide. They also gained a better understanding of student mental health issues and greater confidence in undertaking the KidsMatter Initiative. With the support of a state based Project Officer the Action Team used the remainder of 2006 to conduct a school audit of their school's current support of student mental health and to prepare their 2007 implementation strategy.
- Group 2 Schools will receive the two day briefing, the KidsMatter Implementation Manual and KidsMatter Programs guide in Adelaide on September 10 and 11, 2007. The Group 2 Action Team will use the remainder of 2007 to work with their Project Officer on their School Audit and implantation strategy. They will implement these plans to improve student mental health at the beginning of 2008.
- Stage 2 of KidsMatter for all schools
The KidsMatter Initiative is strongly committed to ensuring that materials/resources developed during Stage 1 are made available to all primary schools in Australia. The timing of Stage 2 and the specific materials/resources to be provided are yet to be determined. Regardless, schools not involved in the initial Stage 1 evaluation of KidsMatter will be provided with regular updates about the Initiative and information on how they can promote student mental health in their school.
Pilot phase and evaluation of KidsMatter
A priority of the evaluation will be to assess whether the mental health and wellbeing of primary students improved over the time the KidsMatter initiative was conducted. To adequately assess this, the evaluators will need to collect information on student mental health at various times. The evaluators are likely to seek this information on four occasions (early 2007, late 2007, early 2008, and late 2008).
What support will schools participating in Stage 1 of KidsMatter receive?
Schools participating in Stage 1 of KidsMatter will receive the following:
- Professional Development: This includes an initial briefing for school Action Teams on how they can implement KidsMatter in their school, as well as professional development for all school staff focussing on the four key components of the initiative.
- A Positive School Community
- Social and Emotional Learning for students
- Parenting Education and Support
- Early Intervention for students experiencing mental health difficulties
- KidsMatter Implementation Manual: This will provide school staff with information on the initiative as well as materials for addressing each of the four components. (listed above). These materials will include background information about what is trying to be achieved and why: audit tools; planning, implementation and evaluation guides; as well as information on relevant programs, resources and strategies.
- KidsMatter Programs Guide: This guide is designed to assist schools that are working on their KidsMatter component plans to make informed choices when selecting school mental health programs.
- Project Officers: Project Officers are employed in each state and territory to assist KidsMatter schools
with the implementation. They will work primarily with the school Action Team to assist with the implementation and maintenance of KidsMatter.
Where can I find out more information about KidsMatter?
KIDSMATTER IMPLEMENTATION
Mignon Souter
National Coordinator - KidsMatter APAPDC
Chris Champion
National Project Officer - KidsMatter APAPDC
KIDSMATTER CONTENT AND RESOURCES
Margot Trinder
National KidsMatter Coordinator- APS
KIDSMATTER EVALUATION
Dr Brian Graetz
Senior Program Manager: Public Health
beyondblue: the national depression initiative
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