Education Commons^™

Consideration is given about why children with additional needs are at a greater risk of mental health difficulties, and how schools can promote mental health and wellbeing in children who have additional needs. The session also considers how the KidsMatter framework guides schools through a whole-school approach that promotes a positive school community, develops children’s social and emotional skills, strengthens parents and carer engagement, and assists children experiencing difficulties, particularly those with special needs. Key principles for supporting children with disabilities to participate and be included at school are discussed, along with key findings from the Ministerial Advisory Committee: Students …

In this workshop, we present evidence and look at why children with additional needs are at a greater risk of mental health difficulties, and how schools can promote mental health and wellbeing in children who have additional needs. The session considers how the KidsMatter framework guides schools through a whole-school approach that promotes a positive school community, develops children’s social and emotional skills, strengthens parents and carer engagement, and assists children experiencing difficulties. Key principles for supporting children with disabilities to participate and be included at school are discussed, along with key findings from the Ministerial Advisory Committee: Students with …

Although there is increasing recognition internationally of the significance of social and emotional health and wellbeing for the healthy development of young people, the levels of support that governments provide for mental health policy and program initiatives vary widely. In this paper, consideration is given to Australia's approach to mental health promotion from early years to secondary school, including specific reference to the KidsMatter Primary mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative. Although it is now well established that schools provide important settings for the promotion of mental health initiatives, there are significant challenges faced in effectively implementing and …

This chapter draws key findings from a South Australian study, KidsMatter for Students with a Disability, in order to extend the discussion on whether whole-school mental health promotion initiatives are equally supportive of students with and without a disability. This discussion contributes to overcoming the lack of evidence-based research in this area and proposes new opportunities to better support all students with disabilities, whether identified or unrecognised.