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Mental Health

According to the World Health Organization, mental health is ‘a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community’.

Schools are an ideal setting for supporting the mental health of young people. They play an important role in raising awareness, reducing stigma and supporting students with mental health issues. Besides offering services such as student support and school psychologists, school staff can participate in professional development such as the modules offered online by the Be You team to increase their knowledge surrounding mental health issues.

Students should understand that good mental health is more than not having a mental illness. Someone with ‘good’ mental health feels capable of dealing with the normal, day-to-day situations that we all experience, while someone with a mental health issue or illness finds it difficult to manage their life. Although it’s normal to experience ups and downs, if issues persist and start impacting on a young person’s quality of life, it’s important that they seek professional support. Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health issues that impact on young people.

This mental health resource includes classroom lessons and Wellbeing Fives. Content has been designed to increase students’ knowledge of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and eating and other disorders. Available support services, help-seeking strategies and tips for helping a friend are also covered within the lesson plans. These lessons are linked to various curricula, including the Australian National Curriculum: General Capabilities. Teachers can also access recommended factsheets from Be You and articles from ReachOut Schools that are linked to the lesson focus.

If you have a student who requires urgent help for a mental health issue, follow the procedures within your school. If you aren’t sure what these are, check with your principal or relevant wellbeing staff. You can also find out about other services that are available 24/7 here: Urgent help.

Classroom resources

Designed to be engaging and relevant to your students.

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Accessing professional help

This lesson will support your students in knowing how and where to access professional help to support them through a mental health issue.

7-12

60 minutes

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Anxiety

This lesson will examine how an anxiety disorder differs from ‘normal’ anxiety and supports students in managing associated behaviours and feelings.

9-10

60 minutes

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Depression

This lesson will examine what depression is, suggest ways for students to support a friend they are worried about, and offer some help-seeking strategies.

9-10

60 minutes

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Eating disorders

This lesson examines eating disorders, with students discussing different disorders, the signs and symptoms of each disorder, and the professional help available.

9-10

60 minutes

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Physical and mental fitness

Students discover the relationship between physical and mental fitness.

7-10

60 minutes

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PTSD and psychotic disorders

This lesson will examine post-traumatic stress disorder and psychotic disorders, with students discussing the nature of each disorder, their signs and symptoms, and the professional help available.

9-10

60 minutes

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Strategies to manage student anxiety and stress

Students will identify and understand when to seek professional help for long-term anxiety and stress.

9-10

60 minutes

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How to deal with mixed emotions

Students unpack the feeling of having mixed emotions, and identity coping strategies and support options they can use to manage them.

7-10

60 minutes

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The benefits of spending time in nature

Students learn about the positive mental health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature.

7-10

60 minutes

Wellbeing Fives

Energise, refocus and develop wellbeing in your students in 5 minutes.

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Community action plan

Students develop ideas to contribute to a community action plan for promoting help-seeking at their school.

7-12

5 minutes

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Coping strategies

Students use a case study to understand the role that coping skills and support services play in managing mental health issues.

7-10

5 minutes

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Helping a friend you are concerned about

Students practise having conversations to support friends experiencing mental health difficulties.

7-12

5 minutes

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Local services assessment

Students examine mental health services available within their community.

7-10

5 minutes

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Mental health issues

This lesson focuses on helping students to understand mental health issues.

7-12

5 minutes

A counsellor talking to a teen boy at school.

Quiz: Where can you go for support?

Students complete a quiz to help them identify support options available to them.

7-8

5 minutes

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Simple steps to better wellbeing

Students use a case study to identify some simple steps and strategies that can enhance their overall wellbeing, build their resilience and support them through challenging times.

7-8

5 minutes

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Steps to talking to someone you trust

Students identify and explore simple steps and strategies for talking to someone they trust about an issue.

7-8

5 minutes

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Supporting a friend with depression

Students examine ways they could support a friend with depression.

7-10

5 minutes

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Supporting a friend with stress

Students learn how to support a friend who is experiencing stress.

7-12

5 minutes

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What is depression?

Students will learn about depression, including what it is, its causes, and typical signs and symptoms.

9-12

5 minutes

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'You Can Talk' video discussion

Through analysis of the ‘You can talk’ video, students learn how to respond when they notice a change in a friend.

9-10

5 minutes

Resources for parents and carers

Share with parents and carers to support a whole school approach to student wellbeing.

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Anxiety in teenagers

Learn about anxiety in teenagers, its types, risk factors and symptoms. Find out how anxiety can affect your teen at ReachOut Parents.

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Depression in teenagers

Learn the facts about depression in teenagers, the signs to look out for, and what parents can do to help.

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Talking about mental health with your teen

Get professional advice early to learn about how to manage your teen's mental health and wellbeing.

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Gavin's experience helping his daughter with depression

It can be tricky knowing how to handle teen depression in your family. Hear how Gavin navigated this tough time and helped his daughter through depression.

Resources for students

Engaging and reliable content for young people to support their wellbeing.

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Helping friends

Helping a friend through a tough time can be rewarding, but also sometimes overwhelming.

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What to do when it feels like it's all gone wrong

Some days life can be really tough, whether you’re depressed, anxious or just having a really tough time, and it can be hard to know where to turn to get help. Here are some practical steps to take when everything goes wrong.

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The big issues

From a relentless 24/7 news cycle and social media, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected. We've tackled some of the big issues to give you the facts, straight up.

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Professional help

Mental health professionals have trained for years to help people. When you're going through a tough situation, it helps to have someone in your corner who knows what to do.

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        We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

        We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

        ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

              Aboriginal flagTorres Strait islander flagRainbow flagAustralian flag

              We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

              We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

              ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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