KidsMatter Primary framework

KidsMatter Primary aims

• improve the mental health and wellbeing of primary school students
• reduce mental health problems amongst students
• achieve greater support for students experiencing mental health problems.

To achieve these aims, KidsMatter Primary promotes collaborative involvement across the health and education sectors. It provides a framework for mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention (PPEI) that is specifically oriented to primary schools, rather than presenting schools with a single defined program. Through the KidsMatter Primary framework, schools are provided with the resources to implement a comprehensive approach to addressing students’ mental health which is tailored to their local needs. In this way KidsMatter Primary builds on the work schools are already doing to address the mental health of their students through national, state, territory and sector-based mental health initiatives and policies

KidsMatter Primary components, target areas and goals

KidsMatter Primary outlines four component areas in which schools can focus their learning, planning and action for addressing children’s mental health. Click on each component for more information.

Component 1: A positive school community

Component 2: Social and emotional learning for students

Component 3: Working with parents and carers

Component 4: Helping children with mental health difficulties

The selection of these four components has been informed by the current evidence and expert opinion about the factors that influence children’s mental health and well-being, with a particular focus on factors schools can influence. Target areas and goals are provided under each of these components to help guide school action in these areas.

Download the KidsMatter Primary overview booklet (PDF, 1.2MB)