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How Be You began
Be You was launched in 2018, as a national initiative to support mental health and wellbeing in education. It brought together the strengths of several government-funded programs into a single, unified approach.
Following the 2014 National Mental Health Commission Review, it was clear that while programs like Kids Matter (early childhood, and primary), MindMatters, Response Ability, and headspace School Support were making valuable contributions, their impact could be amplified through integration.
This led to the launch of the Australian Government’s National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program, with the vision to support children and young people to achieve their best possible mental health. The program has two main components:
- Mental Health in Education Program: Focused on education and training for early learning, primary, secondary and pre-service educators
- National Workforce Support Program: Supporting clinicians and non-clinicians working with children from birth to age12 outside the education space.
In 2017, Beyond Blue was awarded the grant to lead the education-focused component, now known as Be You, delivered in partnership with Early Childhood Australia (ECA) and headspace.
Learn more about the organisations behind Be You.
Building on existing programs
Be You builds on the foundations of five major mental health initiatives. These programs helped shape today’s national approach and are now integrated into Be You:
KidsMatter Early Childhood
A mental health initiative for early learning services. It responded to concerns about high rates of mental health challenges in children.
KidsMatter Primary
Focused on promoting mental health in primary schools. It was developed as a response to the high rates of school-age children with mental health challenges.
MindMatters
A secondary school initiative that helped schools build their own mental health strategy. It provided structure, tools and to suit schools unique circumstances.
Response Ability
Provided evidence-based resources for pre-service educators. It focused on the role of educators in building resilience and supporting students with mental health needs.
headspace School Support
A suicide postvention program. It helped schools prepare for, respond to and recover from the death of a student by suicide.
These programs are now integrated into Be You – a single, national initiative for early learning services, primary and secondary schools.
Working with experts
Since its inception, Be You has been shaped by the insights of over 400 advisors from across Australia. Beyond Blue has brought together leading voices in mental health and education. These advisors from across Australia have helped design, develop and implement Be You.
These experts bring knowledge in:
- Education and mental health
- Suicide prevention
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education
- Behavioural change
- Implementation science
- Research and evaluation
Be You also works with Australian Government and State and Territory Departments, peak bodies, professional associations, accreditation bodies, tertiary institutions and educational research organisations.
These networks continue to guide the evolution of Be You, ensuring it remains practical, inclusive and evidence informed.
Learn more about Be You’s Evidence and Insights.
Emerging Minds
Emerging Minds supports professionals working with children from birth to age 12 in health, social and community sectors.
Through the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health, Emerging Minds offers:
- Free online training
- Implementation and practice tools
- Webinars and evidence summaries
- Resources focused on infant and child mental health
Their work is built on four key principles:
- Keeping children’s mental health in mind
- Strengthening resilience
- Supporting children at risk, or experiencing, mental health issues
- Responding to infants and children who may experience trauma, grief and loss
The National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health under the National Support for Child and Youth Mental Health Program.