KidsMatter - Australian Primary Schools Health Initiative

The latest eNewsletter for KidsMatter Primary is now available online. Click here to read it, and be up to date with all the latest developments of the initiative.

The list of participating KidsMatter Primary schools continues to grow. We are excited to announce new schools in most States and Territories. Click here  to see the new schools, and the complete list of KidsMatter Primary schools.

The KidsMatter website has a new feature which allows KidsMatter Primary schools to submit stories about the exciting work they are doing to promote student’s mental health. Click on the purple button located on the homepage to share your creative and inspiring ideas for each of the 4 Components. You can also see ideas from other KidsMatter Primary pilot schools by clicking here.

The first KidsMatter Primary eNewsletter for 2010 has been released. The eNewsletter provides up-to-date information on KidsMatter Primary for schools, school staff, parents, carers and other community members who are interested in the initiative. Click here to read the latest edition, and sign up to receive future editions here.

KidsMatter Primary continues to roll-out across the country and is being accessed by an ever growing list of schools. KidsMatter Primary warmly welcomes our new schools for 2010! Click here to view the new schools, and also to see a complete list of KidsMatter Primary schools.

2010 promises to be another exciting year for KidsMatter Primary as the initiative continues to roll-out across Australia.

New for 2010! The Full Report of the comprehensive evaluation of KidsMatter Primary conducted by Flinders University (South Australia) is available here. The findings show that KidsMatter Primary has a positive impact on schools, children, parents and carers.

KidsMatter Primary is very excited to welcome 62 new schools so far to the Initiative in 2009. These include four schools from Alice Springs in NT, 14 schools from Queensland, five schools from South Australia, 11 schools from Tasmania, nine from Victoria and 19 schools from different regions in Western Australia. Click here to view the complete list of new schools.

The Hon Nicola Roxon MP – Minister for Health and Ageing has today announced that the Australian Government will provide $12.2 million over the next three years to support the expansion of the KidsMatter Primary mental health initiative to more primary schools across Australia. The Minister also announced funding of $6.5 million to pilot the KidsMatter Early Childhood Initiative. Speaking at the Monmia Primary School, a KidsMatter pilot school, Ms Roxon highlighted the positive impacts of KidsMatter on children’s mental health. See the Minister’s press release here.

The Australian Psychological Society and beyondblue, partners in KidsMatter, have also issued statements to the media. Read the Australian Psychological Society release and the beyondblue release.

A comprehensive evaluation of the KidsMatter Primary pilot was conducted by Flinders University of South Australia. Results show many positive impacts for schools, children, parents and carers. The Executive Summary is now available online.

KidsMatter Primary has updated the Programs Guide on the web! The KidsMatter Primary Programs Guide provides schools with information on over 70 school-based programs that can be used to target children’s mental health and wellbeing. Where available, it outlines the documented effectiveness of each program to enable schools to select quality programs that address the particular needs of their school community. Find a program for your school, compare the effectiveness of two programs or check whether the program you’re using is already in the Guide at: http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/programs-guide/. Just follow the prompts to narrow down your search. KidsMatter welcomes your feedback about using the Programs Guide on the web at http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/feedback/ or enquiries@kidsmatter.edu.au.

Applications for the KidsMatter Early Childhood pilot are now open! Over 100 Australian early childhood services, including preschools and long day care centres, will be recruited to be involved in the trial that aims to strengthen children’s mental health and wellbeing. Click here for information on how to apply.